What is Sawan?

Sawan is a very special month in the Hindu calendar. It comes during the rainy season (July–August) and is full of devotion, fasting, and prayers. People call this month the favorite month of Lord Shiva.

In Sawan, many devotees wear simple clothes (mostly saffron or white), go to temples, and chant "Om Namah Shivaya." The air feels peaceful and pure. You can hear temple bells ringing, people singing bhajans, and the smell of flowers and incense everywhere. It's truly a magical time!

What is Rudra Abhishek?

Now let’s understand what Rudra Abhishek means.

“Rudra” is another name for Lord Shiva, and “Abhishek” means offering something with love and prayer, like milk, water, honey, curd, and flowers. So, Rudra Abhishek is a special prayer where we bathe the Shiva Lingam with different things and chant mantras.

It is believed that if you do Rudra Abhishek with full heart and faith, Lord Shiva becomes very happy and gives blessings like peace, good health, money, and happiness.

Why Do People Do Rudra Abhishek in Sawan?

Sawan is believed to be the month when Lord Shiva drank the poison (Halahala) during the churning of the ocean (Samudra Manthan) to save the world. So, to thank him, people do Rudra Abhishek and try to make him happy during this month.

People believe Lord Shiva listens very closely to our prayers in Sawan. That’s why doing Rudra Abhishek during this time is very powerful and special.

Best Days to Perform Rudra Abhishek in Sawan

Even though you can perform Rudra Abhishek any day, some days in Sawan are more powerful and more special.

Let’s look at the best days below:

1. Every Monday (Somwar) of Sawan

Monday is the most favorite day of Lord Shiva. That’s why every Monday of Sawan is very powerful. These are called Sawan Somwars. On these days:

Devotees fast and do Rudra Abhishek.

Temples are full of devotees offering milk and water to Shivling.

People chant "Om Namah Shivaya" 108 times or more.

If you want to do Rudra Abhishek only once in Sawan, choose a Monday.

2. Sawan Shivratri

Shivratri is the night of Lord Shiva, and in Sawan, there’s a special one called Sawan Shivratri. It usually comes in the second half of the month. On this day:

People stay awake all night.

They do Abhishek every 3 hours.

Chant mantras and sing bhajans.

Doing Rudra Abhishek on Sawan Shivratri is believed to remove all sins and bring blessings for the whole year.

3. Pradosh Vrat (Evening Time)

Pradosh Vrat happens twice a month — once during the waxing moon and once during the waning moon.

It is observed during Pradosh Kaal, which is the time just before sunset.

People do Rudra Abhishek in the evening.

It's believed that Lord Shiva dances in joy during this time.

If Pradosh Vrat falls on a Monday in Sawan, then it becomes even more special. That day is called Som Pradosh – the most powerful time to do Rudra Abhishek!

Best Time (Muhurat) to Perform Rudra Abhishek

Now you may ask, “What is the best time of the day to do Rudra Abhishek?”

Here are the most powerful time slots:

1. Brahma Muhurat (Early Morning)

Time: Around 4:00 AM to 5:30 AM

This is the time when the world is very peaceful and calm.

Saints and sages say this is the best time to pray.

2. Morning Time (After Sunrise)

Time: Around 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM

Many people do Abhishek at this time in temples.

You can offer water, milk, and flowers to Shivling and chant mantras.

3. Pradosh Kaal (Evening)

Time: Around 45 minutes before and after sunset.

A beautiful time for evening puja.

Doing Abhishek during this time brings peace to the home.

What to Offer During Rudra Abhishek?

While doing Rudra Abhishek, you can offer the following items to the Shiva Lingam:

Item    Meaning & Benefits

Water    Removes negativity and calms the mind
Milk    Brings purity and wealth
Honey    Sweetness in relationships
Curd    Brings health and good thoughts
Sugar    Happiness in family life
Ghee    Peace and long life
Bela flowers    Lord Shiva loves them!
Sandalwood paste    Keeps the mind cool and focused

You can chant the Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra or Om Namah Shivaya while offering each item.

How to Perform Rudra Abhishek at Home (Step-by-Step)

You can also perform Rudra Abhishek at home! Here’s a simple way:

What You Need:

A small Shivling (stone or metal)

Milk, water, honey, curd, sugar, ghee

Flowers (especially Bel leaves or Bela flowers)

Incense sticks and diya (lamp)

A clean plate or bowl

Steps:

Clean the Shivling and place it on a clean plate.

Light a diya and incense sticks.

Offer water to Shivling and say "Om Namah Shivaya".

Offer milk, curd, honey, sugar, ghee – one by one – while chanting.

Offer flowers and Bel leaves.

Say your wishes or prayers silently.

Finally, sit for 5 minutes in silence or meditate.

Lord Shiva listens to every small prayer done with love. So don’t worry if your puja is simple. What matters most is your devotion and pure heart.

Benefits of Doing Rudra Abhishek in Sawan

Doing Rudra Abhishek in Sawan is like getting a direct blessing from Lord Shiva. Here are some beautiful benefits:

Brings peace and calmness
Helps remove fear and sadness
Improves health and removes diseases
Fulfills wishes and dreams
Gives strength to face problems
Makes relationships strong
Brings success in job or studies

It is also believed that even just watching Rudra Abhishek being performed gives blessings!

Final Thoughts from Narayanam

Dear friends,

Sawan is the time when nature sings for Lord Shiva, and our hearts feel closer to him. Rudra Abhishek is a way to say “Thank You” to our loving God. Whether you go to a temple or do it at home, do it with love and faith.

Don’t worry if you don’t know big mantras. Just say "Om Namah Shivaya" with a smile and a clean heart. That is enough.

So this Sawan, choose a Monday or Sawan Shivratri, wake up early, do Rudra Abhishek, and feel the magic of Lord Shiva’s blessings in your life.

May Bholenath bless you always!

– Written by Narayanam