Holy periods of Hindus.

Shravan is the fifth month of the Hindu calendar counted from Chaitra,which is the most auspicious month of the Chaturmas.During this period,the star 'Shravan' rules the sky, hence the month is called Shravan. Shravan is the holiest month of the year. In this month there are many festivals and ceremonies and almost all the days of this month are very auspicious.

Every Monday of this month, is called as Shravani Somvar, is a very auspicious day of Lord Shiva. In Shiva temples the Dharanatra hangs over the Shiv-ling, for 'abhishek',ie to bathe it with milk and holy water. The Shiv-ling is worshiped by offering Bel leaves and flowers, while chanting the Shiva mantra. Devotees observe a fast till sunset.
As per the legend, the 'Samudra Manthan' ie the churning of oceans, took place in the month of Shravan when fourteen different types of rubies and the poison (halaal) emerged from it.Lord Shiva swallowed the Halahal and stored it in the throat. Hence he is named as Neelkanth (blue throat).

All the Gods thereafter started offering the river Ganges water to Lord Shiva to dilute the poison and lessen the effect. This was in the month of Shravan,hence the devotees of Shiva observe Shravani Somwar(Monday), and worship by offering the Ganges water to Shiva.

It is believed that, offering milk to Lord Shiva,in this month, earns a lot of Punya and blessings of Lord Shiva.