A body smeared with ash, a crescent moon, a tiger skin, a snake around the neck, the third eye, matted hair, river Ganga flowing from the hair, a trident in one hand, a dumroo in the other. Along with this, there are 1008 names to describe Lord Shiva.
As per the Hindu mythology, the month of Shravan is auspicious to seek blessings from Lord Shiva. An entire month of fasting and offering prayers is what Shravan month is all about. The devotees visit Shiva temples across the country and chant the Maha Mrutyunjay Mantra,
“-ॐ Tryambakam Yajamahe Sugandhim Pushtivardhanam.
Urvarukamiv bandhanan Mrityormukshiyya Mamritat,”
Meaning, “we worship the three-eyed One, who is fragrant and who nourishes all. Like the fruit falls off from the bondage of the stem, may we be liberated from death, from mortality.”
It is believed that in the month of Shravan the whole atmosphere is charged with Shiva tattvas (elements) that purify the mind, senses, body and soul.
The historic Samudra Manthan, the churning of the ocean milk, was done in Shravan month. And while Gods and Demons were churning the ocean to obtain the nectar, along with 14 pious things, Halahal, the lethal poison, came out of the ocean. And since the poison had the ability to destroy everything, Lord Shiva stored the poison in his throat, which turned his throat blue, that’s how he received the name Neelkanth. And in a bid to tame the strong impact of poison and soothe Shiva’s pain, Gods offered him the holy water from the Ganges. It is believed that by offering water to Shiv lingam, the impact of poison is tamed. That is why offering water to Shiva Lingam in Shravan is considered pious.
A Jyotirlinga is a shrine where Lord Shiva is worshipped in the form of a Jyotirlingam. There are exactly 12 jyotirling spread across the country at various locations. Originally there were 64 Jyotirlingas, but only 12 are considered holy and auspicious.
1) Somnath - upajyotirlinga, Antakeshwar, Bharuch.
2) Mallikarjun- upajyotirlinga, Rudreshwar, Himalayas.
3) Mahakal- upajyotirlinga, Dugdheshwar, Banks of Narmada.
4) Om Mamleshwar-upjyotirlinga, Karmeshwar, Bindu Sarovar.
5) Kedareshwar- upjyotirlinga, Bhuteshwar, Himalayas.
6) Bhimshankar- upjyotirlinga, Bhimeshwar, near Pune.
7) Vishwanath – upjyotirlinga, Avimukteshwar, Kashi.
8) Trimbakeshwar – upjyortilinga, Bileshwar, Barda Dungar.
9) Vaidyanath – upjyotirlinga, Mahabaleshwar, Gaukarna Tirth.
10) Nageshwar – upajyortilinga, Bhuteshwar, near Ujjain.
11) Rameshwar – upajyortilinga, Gupteswar, near Pushkar.
12) Dhushmeshwar – upjyotirlinga, Vyagheshwar, in the Himalayas
