According to Hindu Panchang, every month of the year is been devoted to some or the other god. Similarly, sawan month is also dedicated to Lord Shiva and worshipping him during this time is of great importance. Devotees bring water from various holy places and pour it on Lord Shiva’s idols in these temples. The month of monsoon is considered to be a symbol of devotion towards Lord Shiva.This is a month when the monsoon satisfies the thirst of earth by showering rain and provides a pleasurable environment. Similarly, devotees also get all their wishes fulfilled that help them to live a pleasurable and a prosperous life
Puja with Jalabhishek
It is believed that the glory of Lord Shiva can be seen during this month. Reciting Gayatri mantra, Mahamrityunjaya mantra, panchakshar etc gives beneficial results to the devotees. Shravan month begins when the shravan nakshatra forms a yoga with poornima tithi. During this month, devotees establish a shivalinga and perform jalabhishek with milk and gangajal. Lord Shiva is very fond of shivalinga jalabhishek and whoever does it, is blessed with all pleasures of life.
Jalabhishek of Shivalinga has been considered very fruitful. Many things are used to perform jalabhishek and each of it gives different results to the devotees. For instance; offering water gives rain and cold, abhishek with milk and ghee gives the pleasure of child, abhishek with sugarcane juice provides wealth and prosperity. Kushodk banishes the causes of disease, and honey provides fortune and financial stability.
Significance of jalabhishek of shivalinga
It is believed that a person attains results equivalent to that of ashwamedh yagna by visiting jyotirlinga during this month. There is a very popular legend in respect to the jalabhishek of Lord Shiva during this month. As per the legend, during the battle between Devas and Demons while churning the sea for amrit, a lot of poisonous substances started coming out of the sea. Due to these poisonous elements the whole universe started burning with immense heat leading to destruction in all the three worlds. To prevent the destruction, devas and demons went to Lord Shiva and requested him to save the mankind from this wrath. Lord Shiva came forward and drank the whole poison to save the mankind
After drinking the poison Lord Shiva’s face and body started turning blue and his body’s temperature increased unbearably. Lord Shiva did this during the Sawan month. To calm his body temperature all the devas started pouring gangajal over his body. Since then the tradition of jalabhishek took place during the month of Sawan month. Water is poured on Lord Shiva during the whole Sawan month, especially on Mondays to get the his blessings.