Auspicious Shravan’s austerities begin in Gujarat

From today, there will be a significant drop in the sale of non-vegetarian food and liquor in the state -- and at the same time in the next 30 days the temples will reverberate with any more footfalls than shopping malls.

The reason is that the month of Shravan begins from August 9 and a majority of Gujaratis will be more spiritually active and will keep away from non-religious activities.

As Shravan month is considered the month of religious festivals, most of the devotees of the Shaiv, Vaishnav and Swaminarayan sects are offering poojas and fasting in this month. While all the Shiv temples in the city are ready for a month-long  pooja to the Lord Shiv in Shravan, Swaminarayan and Vaishnav temples are organizing Hindola Darshans for Lord Krishna in the city.

Devotees of Shaiv faith will offer pooja and many will take pledge for other penances to Lord Shiv in the various temples in the state. Many devotees pledge to fast for the whole month as a part of their devotion.

On the other hand, Vaishnav and Swaminarayan temples will be preparing to celebrate Janmastami (the birth day of Lord Krishna) in a big way.

Presently, both Vaishnav and Swaminarayan are arranging Hindola Darshan, in which the devotees offer pooja to god through decorative swings that are mostly prepared with clothes, fruits, dry-fruits, colours, food items etc.