Shravana Masam is the fifth month of the Telugu lunar year, named so because the full moon of this month falls near the Shravana nakshatra. It is considered especially dear to Lord Shiva, Goddess Lakshmi and Goddess Gowri, which is why Telugu homes fill with vratams, nomulu and perantam gatherings throughout the month.
Why is Shravana Masam so special?
Shravana falls in the heart of the monsoon, when the land is green and fresh. Our elders saw this as a season for disciplined living and focused worship. Many of the year's most loved vratams for saubhagyam (marital well-being) and family welfare fall in this month, so it is often affectionately called the month of saubhagyam.
Many families follow a vegetarian diet, keep the house and puja mandir spotless, and light a deepam morning and evening. For newly married girls the month is especially meaningful: parents invite them home, help them perform vratams and gift them pasupu-kumkuma, a beautiful Telugu custom.
Weekday-wise worship in Shravana
Each weekday in Shravana has its own focus. The commonly followed pattern is:
| Day | Worship | Usually observed by |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | Shravana Somavaram, Shiva abhishekam | Whole family |
| Tuesday | Mangala Gowri vratam | Newly married women |
| Friday | Lakshmi puja, Varalakshmi vratam | Sumangalis |
| Saturday | Venkateswara and Anjaneya worship | Some families |
These are general customs; details vary by region and family tradition.
What is Mangala Gowri vratam?
Mangala Gowri vratam is the worship of Goddess Gowri as Mangala Gowri on every Tuesday of Shravana. Traditionally a bride begins it in her first Shravana after marriage and continues for five years, praying for her husband's long life and a harmonious married life.
Main elements
- After an early bath, Gowri is installed on a peeta as an idol or as a small cone of turmeric (pasupu Gowri).
- Vighneswara puja comes first, followed by shodashopachara puja to the Goddess.
- A toram (sacred thread) is tied and the vrata katha is read or heard.
- Tamboolam, pasupu-kumkuma and senagalu are offered to muttaiduvas (married women) to receive their blessings.
- In some families, aarti with lamps made of dough and applying kaatuka are part of the ritual.
An udyapana marks the completion in the final year. Since procedures differ, follow your elders or family purohit.
When and why is Varalakshmi vratam performed?
In Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, Varalakshmi vratam is most commonly performed on the Friday before Shravana Pournami. Goddess Varalakshmi, the Lakshmi who grants boons, is invoked in a kalasham and worshipped. Elders say that those unable to perform it on that Friday may do so on another Friday of Shravana.
Preparation checklist
- Clean the house a day earlier; apply turmeric to the threshold and draw muggulu at the entrance.
- Arrange the kalasham, coconut, the Goddess's face or idol and a new cloth.
- Prepare the toram, commonly with nine knots.
- Keep flowers, fruits, turmeric, kumkuma, akshatalu, deepam and incense ready.
- Naivedyam such as pulihora, payasam, bobbatlu or garelu, as per family custom.
After the puja the katha is read, the toram is tied and vayanam is given to muttaiduvas. The well-known story of Charumati carries a simple message: sincere devotion matters more than grandeur.
Why are Shravana Somavarams important?
Shravana is dear to Lord Shiva too, and Shiva temples are crowded on its Mondays. Many devotees do abhishekam with water or milk, offer bilva leaves and chant the Panchakshari mantra, Om Namah Shivaya.
Some keep a fast or eat one meal on Mondays. Please consider your health: pregnant women, elders, people with diabetes or those on medication should consult a doctor and may follow a lighter observance with fruits or simple food. Devotion lies in turning the mind to God, not in straining the body.
Jandhyala Pournami and Rakhi Pournami
Shravana Pournami carries two important traditions. Those who wear the yajnopaveetam perform Upakarma and change to a new sacred thread, hence the name Jandhyala Pournami; it also marks the renewal of Vedic study. Upakarma dates can differ by Veda shakha, so follow your purohit's guidance.
On the same day sisters tie rakhi to their brothers, praying for their welfare, and brothers promise protection. This is Rakhi Pournami or Raksha Bandhan. Some also worship Lord Hayagriva on this full moon.
Other festivals in Shravana
- Naga Panchami: worship of the serpent deities on Shravana Shukla Panchami; offering milk at an anthill is a custom in some areas.
- Sri Krishnashtami: Krishna's birth on Shravana Bahula Ashtami, with utlu, decorating little Krishna, and naivedyam of butter and atukulu.
- Polala Amavasya: a nomu for children's welfare observed in some regions on Shravana Amavasya.
Key points
- Shravana is the fifth Telugu month, dear to Shiva, Lakshmi and Gowri.
- Mondays for Shiva, Tuesdays for Mangala Gowri, Fridays for Lakshmi.
- Varalakshmi vratam is usually on the Friday before Shravana Pournami.
- Shravana Pournami is both Jandhyala Pournami and Rakhi Pournami.
- Customs vary; follow family tradition and your purohit's advice.