Sawan –It Is Special In Jammu

Come month of Sawan, nature becomes alive with lush green fields, enlivening flora and fauna around, torrential rains and enchanting feelings especially of newlywed women waiting for emotional union brings new hopes of being closer to their special one. Not only the newlywed young women wait for the month desperately but also women struggling to run smoothly the chariot of family life too aspire for the devotion of Lord Shiva during the month. Women go devotional for the bhakti of Lord Shiva and observe fast on every Monday to pay obeisance to Lord Shiva. With this they pray for the well being of their family and the whole universe. They feel their devotion to Lord Shiva will bring peace and harmony on this universe.

The newly married women of Duggar Pradesh have the privilege of enjoying the pangs of Sawan. Since decades practice goes like newlywed women to spend the month of Sawan alone in the house of her parents so as to avoid the wrath of nature on the family of in-laws. However, the impact of universal changes is also too have on the age-old practice of enjoying Sawan month.

With the closing of Rutt-Rahede festival newlywed young women visit to their parental house with various gifts and a “ skolada” i.e a sort of floral handmade gift denoting the importance of Sawan month . It is a part of Rutt Rahede festival. Earlier the practice goes for newlywed women to live for one month at their parent’s house but now the women just pay a ceremonial visit to their parental house and come back with gifts.

In Indian Cinema too various songs indicate the importance of Sawan month. One always come across the hilarious songs of Sawan such as “ Badhra chaye ke jule pad gay hai ke mach gayi dhum re ke aya Sawan jhum ke”and many others like Sawan ke jule pade tum chaley ayo”

For devotees of Lord Shiva Sawan is a month to offer prayers for the well being of mankind. Several yatras such as Amarnath Yatra, Budda Amarnath Yatra and Kailash kund Yatra and many more are held during the month. Besides, people used to offer prayers at all the temples of lord Shiva situated in the region. Jalabhishakek of Lingam of Lord Shiva is very much common during the month in the Jammu region. Temples like Aap Shambu mandir, Ranbireshwar Mandir at Shalamar, Peerkho, Shiv Khouri, Sudhmahadev,Purmandal –Uttarvahini are some of the famous temples of Lord Shiva are being worshipped by the devotees.

Sawan also bring happiness on the faces of farmers who can sow their crops like paddy and vegetables. Heavy rains means more production. It is assumed among common masses that the month of Sawan is a month of love, affection and worship of Lord Shiva which gives satisfaction to the soul and mind.