* The month of Shravan, popularly known as Sawan, is the fifth month of the Hindu calender beginning from Chaitra, and is the most auspicious month of the Chaturmas. On Purnima or fullmoon day, or during the course of the month the star ' Shravan' rules the sky, hence the month is called Shravan.
* Shravan Mahina, or Sawan Month or Shravan Maas (July – August) is one of the holiest months in a traditional Hindu calendar. Each region in India considers this month as holy and numerous vrats and rituals are performed during the period.
* Shravan Mahina, or Sawan Month or Shravan Maas, is dedicated to Lord Shiva in North India.
* Each Monday of this month, known as Shravan Somvar, is a special day in Shiva temples where the dharanatra hangs over the linga or the idol to bathe it with holy water, day and night.
* Devotees pile the linga high with Bel leaves and flowers and fast till sunset.
* It is considered highly auspicious to wear a rudraksha in Shravan month.
* All, Mondays or Somvars of Shravan month are specially observed with austerity. All Mondays are devoted to the worship of Shiva as this day is sacred to Lord Shiva. No other Mondays of other months are so greatly honored.
* The belief is that in Shravan month, offering milk to Lord Shiva earns a lot of punya.
Story
The legend says that when the churning of oceans - Samudra Manthan - took place in the month of Shravan, fourteen different types of rubies came out. Thirteen of these were distributed amongst the demons, except Halahal (poison). Lord Shiva drank the Halahal and stored it in his throat. Hence the name Neelkantha (meaning blue throat) is attributed to Shiva.
To reduce the strong effect of poison, Lord Shiva wore the crescent moon on his head. All the Gods, thereafter started offering the Ganges water to cool Lord Shiva and to alleviate the ill effects of the poison.
Since, this happened in the month of Shravana, since then the Shiva devotees offer the Ganges water in this month.
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