Shravan or Sawan is considered the holiest month in the Hindu calendar, and is celebrated with numerous festivals and minor celebrations. These include Janmashtami, Raksha Bandhan, Nag Panchami, Onam and Kajori Purnima.
There is a difference of 15 days in the month of Shravan in North India and South India. The reason for this difference is according to different almanac systems. The month of Shravan begins immediately after the full moon (full moon) in the Purnimanta calendar followed by North Indians and continues till the next full moon. In this calendar, the Krishna Paksha (decline phase) of the month comes before the Shukla Paksha (growth phase). Whereas, South Indians follow the Amavasyanta calendar, where the month begins after the new moon and the Shukla Paksha comes before the Krishna Paksha.
In the Vedas, the month of Sawan has been described as 'Nabhas'. Shravan Purnima (full moon day in the month of Shravan) coincides with the Nakshatra (birth star) of Lord Vishnu, Shravan Nakshatra, hence the whole month is called the month of Shravan.
Two important events have happened during the month of Shravan. The first incident is that Lord Shiva had consumed a poison called Halahal in this month and to reduce its effect Lord Indra, who. He is the god of rain and thunder, had incessant rains. That's why it is believed to be the reason for the abundant rain in Shravan. Second incident, Sati, the wife of Lord Shiva, immolated herself in the Aag Kund in the month of Shravan. Because of this, it is believed that worshiping Lord Shiva in this month is 108 times more important than on normal days.
Apart from Shravan Monday in the month of Shravan, three more days – Shravan Tuesday, Friday and Saturday – are considered very auspicious in the month of Shravan.
Many people do not do any kind of shaving in Shravan. The reason for this is that due to the monsoon season, there is a problem of rusting on the straight edged knife, due to which the chances of infection of diseases increase.
