Happy Sawan Shivratri: Messages, wishes to celebrate auspicious day

‘Sawan Shivratri’ is a holy Hindu festival dedicated to Lord Shiva. Every year, the festival falls in July or August. This year, Shivratri is on July 26. Shivratri comes in the ‘Shravan Maas’, a whole month dedicated solely to the worship of Lord Shiva. Different types of pujas and worships are done in this month, like the Rudra Abhishek. Many devotees also chant the Mahamrutunjaya mantra in Lord Shiva’s name 108 times. Some chant the Shiva Chalisa and perform Shiva Aarti.

Lord Shiva is worshipped by several devotees all around the world. On Shivratri, devotees observe fast in honour of the Lord. The Shivlinga is worshipped and bathed with curd, water, honey, sugar, ghee, milk, saffron, sandal paste and fruit juice. This seems to have been done while chanting the Shiva Mantra to invoke God.

Shivratri is also believed to be the wedding day of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. It is also called the dark phase of the Sawan month. All over India, numerous devotees celebrate Shivratri. It is believed that if you chant the Shiva Mantra in the right sense, you can move one step closer to Nirvana or Moksha.


The Saawan month, especially Shivratri, also sees devotees carrying the holy Ganga water, in urns, to different Shiva temples to worship the deity with the same. Known as ‘Kawariyas’, the act is full of challenges as devotees walk barefoot for miles carrying the Ganga water till they reach the temple. Unmarried women also observe a fast on Shivratri.

For the devotees of Shiva, here are a few messages and quotes that they can be shared with their loved ones –

• May Lord Shiva grant your wishes and bless you and your family with health and wealth. Happy Shivratri!

• Om Namah Shivay. May Lord Shiva bring peace and prosperity to you and your family.

• Let this auspicious day mark a new beginning of peace and joy in your life. Happy Shivratri. Jai Bholenath!