Saune Sankranti / Luto Falne Din

 

    Saune Sankranti / Luto Falne Din

Introduction

Nepal is rich in cultural diversity and many festivals based on different religions among such countless festivals Saune Sankranti is one of them. Word ''Sankranti'' refers to the transferal of sun to Capricorn sign. Saune Sankranti falls annually in the Nepali month, Shravan which is in the middle of July. This month also can be called as the month of praying god Shiva, Mahadev. Hindu devotees visit different shiv temples for praying and doing puja of Shiva. It is believed that fasting and worshiping Mahadev is auspicious and praying god Shiva brings blessings to the family.

Some Hindu followers mostly newly married women observed fast and perform puja of goddess Gauri for the long life of their husband whereas unmarried girls keep the fast for wishing to get good husband. Fasting on every Monday of Shravan month is kept for lord Shiva, meanwhile Mangala Gauri fasting is observed on every Tuesday in Shravan.

 

Luto Falne Din

Based on Nepalese tradition, Shravan months is said to be the months of cleaning and removing dirty things from home. People specially from villages collect plant such as shiru leaves, Bhalayo and kurla- kurilo leaves from jungle and at night male member of the family does puja and throws away the lighted firewood by shouting'' luto laijja''. Luto means scabies so luto falne din is the Nepalese tradition which is celebrated every year so that we won't suffer from scabies throughout the year.

 

Myths

source: www.google.com

Another important topic to talk is about Samundra Manthan (churning of the ocean) that took place in Shravan month which was done in search of amrit (holy water for immortality). During Samundra Manthan fourteen rubies were emerged in which thirteen was distributed to demons and one poison rubi as leftover and in order to avoid disastrous outcome lord Shiva drank it and stored it in his throat as it couldn't be swallowed. Poisoned rubi made his throat blue so Mahadev was given a name Neekantha (blue throat).

 

How Shravan is celebrated?

During this month married Hindu woman keep fast on every Monday for whole month and avoid non-veg item and prays lord Shiva for the long life of their husbands. They wear red, green, yellow bangles and wear green beads string believing for the fulfilment of their desires as well for the betterment of family. On the other hands unmarried girls observed fast with a wish of getting good husband. The main attraction for the married woman and unmarried girls in the Shravan Sankranti is mixed colour bangles and henna on the hands.

 

 Bol Bom

source: www.google.com

In Shravan months we could see Bol Bom pilgrimage wearing yellow and orange  clothes in most the Shiv temple as well as on our way to temple. They walk barefoot along with Bol Bom prayers when they visit different temples. It is believed that bol bom yatra gives good health, wealth, and happiness in the family.

 

Conclusion

In a nutshell, Saune Sankranti is one the festivals which is slowly and gradually losing its values and norms which is a major concern and should be taken seriously. Saunae Sankranti and Luto Falne Din carries religional value and it should be protected by us. Shravan is the month of devotion towards lord Shiva.    Female enjoys this festival but it shouldn't lose its originality due to westernization.