From Devotion To Fashion

Shrawan, once rooted in silent prayer and self-offering, is now mixed with style, selfies, and trends. The fourth month of the Nepali calendar, Shrawan is renowned for its profound religious significance, heavy monsoon rains, and the lush greenery that blankets the country. It is considered one of the holiest months, particularly devoted to the worship of Lord Shiva. It is a time of deep spiritual reflection, devotion, and community celebration.

The entire month is filled with sacred observances, lively festivals, and traditions that connect nature, faith, and daily life in a unique and meaningful way. Shrawan is filled with religious, cultural, and seasonal activities that reflect spiritual devotions. The most important practices during this month are the worship of Lord Shiva, especially on Mondays, which are called Shrawan Somvar. This month, devotees fast, visit Shiva temples, and offer water, milk, Belpatra (Bael leaves), curd, honey, and ghee on the Shivalinga. 

Unmarried girls fast and pray for a good husband, while married women pray for the health and longevity of their spouse.  Women and girls adorn themselves with green bangles, wear green clothes, and apply mehendi (henna) to their hands, as green is considered a symbol of prosperity and life. Festivals like Nag Panchami, where snakes are worshipped for protection against evil and disease, Janai Purnima, when Hindu men change their sacred thread (janai), are also celebrated in this month. 

Many people make a holy pilgrimage to Gosaikunda Lake, believing it was created by Shiva’s trident. According to Hindu mythology, long ago, gods and demons churned the ocean (Samudra Manthan) to find the nectar of immortality. During this process, a deadly poison called Halahala came out, which could destroy everything. The gods and the demon churning the ocean could not bring themselves to drink that poison, so to save the world, Lord Shiva bravely drank the poison and held it in his throat. 

His throat turned blue, and since then, he has been called Neelkantha, the blue-throated one. To cool him down, the gods poured water, milk, and Belpatra (holy leaves) over him. This happened during the month of Shrawan, so people started doing the same as a way to thank and honor Lord Shiva. That’s why Shrawan Somvar (Mondays of Shrawan) became special for fasting and Shiva worship.

The early rituals were full of devotion, simplicity, and a deep sense of spiritual discipline. People worshipped Lord Shiva to reward him for the virtues that he displayed during Samudra Manthan. Devotees gave up the river water, milk, Belpatra and different diet items. They were often collected in the wild or made at home. When people fasted, they did so with all sincerity and self-discipline, often in silence or meditation. 

Temples were quiet spaces for prayer, and even in small village shrines or forests, people would gather not to show off, but to connect with the divine. The entire month carried a feeling of peace, reflection, and respect.

But this has changed drastically in recent years. In many cases, devotion has taken a back seat to exhibition. Green bangles, mehendi, dressing in synchronised outfits—all are now turned into fashion statements in a stark contrast from what once were regarded as symbols of purity and celebration. 

This popularisation also seems to have found a home on social media, where "Shrawan looks," ritual photographs, and aesthetic posts are more likely to garner likes and catch attention – done for show-off rather than for spiritual reasons. Fasting is casually kept or done without understanding. Visiting temples becomes more of a picnic than a moment of prayer.

It's great to see that the younger generation is still engaging in Shrawan rituals, but we should take a moment to reflect on the changing intentions behind them. True devotion comes from the heart, not just from how things look from the outside. If we lose sight of the meaning behind these rituals, we risk diminishing their spiritual significance. 

Shrawan was never just about following trends. It has always been, and can still be, a wonderful time for quiet reflection, gratitude, and connecting with Lord Shiva. We can certainly blend tradition with modern life, but we must remember to preserve the essence of the practice, rather than just its surface.

(Sharma is an intern at TRN.)