New Delhi, August 3: The month of Shravan is considered particularly auspicious for seeking the blessings of Lord Shiva. According to the Hindu calendar, this month is cherished by devotees of Bholenath. Activities such as water abhishekam (ritual bathing) and fasting on Mondays are highly regarded. During this sacred month, temples are filled with devotees, while ascetics and sadhus spend their time by holy rivers practicing austerities. In the Mithilanchal region of Bihar, newlywed women observe the Madhushravani fast for the longevity and happiness of their husbands.
In Mithilanchal, Brahmins, Karan Kayasthas, and Swarnakars celebrate this festival. Families with a daughter getting married participate, with newlywed brides performing rituals dedicated to Lord Shiva for 14-15 days during the Shravan month.
On the final day of this observance, the bride undergoes a ritual called ‘Temi,’ where her knees are brought into contact with fire, symbolizing a trial by fire. It is believed that the severity of any injury on her knees correlates with the longevity of her husband. However, the practice of ‘Shital Temi’ has become more common, where the ritual is performed without fire. If fire is used, a small oil lamp is placed near the knees and then quickly removed.
Madhushravani is believed to have originated in ancient times to ease the transition of newlywed women into married life. They wear bridal attire, gather seasonal flowers and leaves, and place them in bamboo baskets. Daily worship is dedicated to Lord Shiva and his consort, Goddess Gauri. Notably, female priests conduct the rituals and narrate the associated stories.
During Madhushravani, newlyweds also worship Nag Deities, Gauri, the Sun, the Moon, and the nine planets. The festival aims to raise environmental awareness, using plants like Juhi and Maini in the rituals to highlight their significance in preserving culture.
Another unique aspect of this festival is that while no stale flowers are offered to any deity, stale flowers are specifically presented to the goddess Manasa during this time. The festival begins on the fifth day of the waning moon in Shravan and concludes on the third day of the waxing moon.
Throughout this period, the newlywed maintains her hairstyle from the first day until the end of the observance. She eats one meal a day, without salt, sleeps on the ground, and performs regular morning and evening prayers to Shiva and Goddess Gauri. During the evening worship, idols made of raw clay, representing elephants, snakes, and Shiva-Gauri, are established for the rituals.
Importantly, all materials for the worship come from the bride’s in-laws, and the grains used for her meals are also sourced from there. At the end of each day, the bride distributes auspicious materials, including special raw henna, to married women.
In this holy month dedicated to Lord Shiva, newlyweds seek blessings for their husbands’ longevity from Mahadev, Goddess Gauri, and the Nagvansh or Vishahari Nagini. According to mythology, Goddess Parvati was the first to observe the Madhushravani fast, which allowed her to have Lord Shiva as her husband across lifetimes.
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