Sravana  Somavara Vratam:  performed in dedication to Lord Shiva.

                         
                                      

          One of the name of Lord shiva is soma - saha uma. For the Lord someshvara Who wears the soma, the moon crescent on the matted hair, on the somavara day (Monday), this festival is observed.

         Sravanam is considered the holiest month of the year. Each monday
 of this month,known as Sravana Somavaram, is a special day in Siva 
temples where thedharanatra hangs over the linga or the idol to bathe it with holy water, day andnight. Devotees pile the linga high with Bel (Bilva) leaves and flowers and fasttill sunset. The nandadeep (24 hour lamp) burns steadily in the temples.

            This fast is observed by married women to get happy and long married life and unmarried women perform this in wish of good husbands. This fast is also performed by men to get peaceful and happy life. People who perform this vrat are allowed to eat only a single vegetarian meal in the whole day.

Lord Siva and Sravana Masam

The legend says that when the churning of oceans - Samudra Manthanam -
took place in the month of Sravanam, fourteen different types of rubies came
out. Thirteen of these were distributed amongst the demons, except Halahal
(poison).

Lord Siva drank the Halahal and stored it in his throat. Hence the name
Neelkantha (meaning blue throat) is attributed to Siva. To reduce the strong
effect of poison, Lord Siva wore the crescent moon on his head.

All the Gods, thereafter started offering the Ganges water to Lord Siva to make
lessen the effect of poison. Since, this happened in the month of Sravanam, the
Siva devotees offer the Ganges water in this month.

It is considered highly auspicious to wear a rudraksha in Sravana month.

As, Mondays or Somavarams of Sravana month are specially observed with
austerity. All Mondays are devoted to the worship of Siva as this day is sacred
to Lord Siva. No other Mondays of other months are so greatly honoured. The
belief is that in Sravana month, offering milk to Lord Shiva earns a lot of
punya.

Shravan Somwar Vrat 2013 Dates:

12 August (Monday)
19 August (Monday)
26 August (Monday)
02 September(Monday)

                            " Dharmo Rakshati Rakshithaha "