Retro-Spiritual Clubbing for Gen Z, writes Disney Brar  

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Chandigarh, August 7

Fire is his head, the sun and moon his eyes, space his ears, the vedas his speech, the wind his breath, the universe his heart. From his feet the earth has originated. He is the inner self of all beings-The Upanishads

The smell of petrichor in the air, the heavy fragrance of the burning oils, resounding sounds of the antique brass bells adorning the porches of the temples, sacred chantings echoing across the city to peacocks spreading their beautiful plumages in the countryside to pay obeisance to the sacredness inherent in this month. While wisps of  holy smoke rising from  bunches of lit incense in various essences and camphors raise a toast to the spiritual intoxication of the holy month of Sawan (Shravan), the fifth month of the Hindu Vedic calendar dedicated to the ‘Neelkantha’ or the Blue-throated one.

This  month sees a rise in the footfall of youngsters visiting the city temples to appease Lord Shiva by observing the sawan somvar vrats, chanting the Mahamrityunjaya mantras in groups to performing Rudrabhisheks on Shivlings to seek spiritual cleansing. This month marks the opening of a cosmic window in a portal which leads to one’s physical, mental and spiritual overhauling and detoxification.

According to the Hindu mythology, it was in this month that the samudra manthan- the churning of the cosmic ocean by the gods and the demons in search of the nectar of immortality (Amrita)  had taken place. But before the nectar appeared, a lethal poison named Halahala rose from its depths, threatening all creation. That’s  when Shiva compassionately drank the poison to save the universe which in turn turned his throat blue. This is the month we celebrate Shiva in all his glory, infinity, unboundedness, omnipresence and most importantly his untamedness .

Tapping into the spiritual power and energy present in this month, our Gen Z is finding their own meaning, purpose and a sense of their connection to a higher power running the universe and our ephemeral existences in it. Focussing on their peace, growth and consciousness, Gen Z is finding  deeper meaning inherent in our ancient Hindu philosophy and is clubbing it up with contemporary concepts and lifestyle choices, in turn channeling this knowledge to improve  the spiritual quality of their lives. From organising spiritual retreats to places dripping with divine energy, to clubbing on Shiva sutras, observing vrats in the form of mindful  fasting to digital detoxes, the Gen Z is going all out to tap into the energy of Shiva.

They are also taking a break from consuming liquor, tobacco and non-vegetarian food to strictly focusing on eating sattvic food in this month, using it as a battery recharger to fill up their reservoir  with spiritual energy, which lasts them for the rest of the year, that they spend in living life in the fast lane, chasing their goals and dreams.

The Femme Fatale of the city are also leaving no stone unturned to dress in their traditional fineries, adorning crisp nine yards, spiritually-inspired  jewellery, henna on their hands to completing the looks with green glass bangles, to honour natures renewal and please Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, besides inviting good health and prosperity in their lives.

Damanjot Kaur Dhillon,  a social media influencer from New Chandigarh, shares on an excited note, “just last weekend,  I had organised a spiritual dance mashup  for my friends wherein we all grooved to the  Mahamrityunjaya mantra and the Shiva Sutras . It was a deeply enriching and a spiritually enlightening experience for all of us. In fact I had decorated my home with Belpatra’s which are Shiva’s favourite and perfectly encapsulated the spirit of the season.”  While Aakansha Malhotra, a student of media studies from the city, shares,  “in this month of Sawaan, I go to the temple at the crack of dawn, perform the Jalabhishek and meditate for a few hours. I have been doing it for a few days and the results are already showing up in my life.”

Informing more about the popularity of Shiva amongst the younger generation, Jatin, owner of Jaipur Navrattan Jewels adjoining the Shri Laxmi Narayan Mandir in Sector 20, informs, “The younger generation is thronging the temples like never before. On Mondays there is no place to stand in our  temple because it is literally crammed with youngsters. I have seen most of them performing elaborate rituals in the temple.” Agrees Pandit Hari Narayan who sits outside the Hanuman Mandir in Phase 3B2, Mohali, “more than the elders I have seen young girls and boys coming to me to inquire about the sawan do’s and dont’s. I have performed pujas, havans and mantra japs for so many of them in this past week.

Many spiritual retreats too are being planned to tap into the raw, throbbing spiritual energy of  this month in places like Rishikesh, Hariwar and Varanasi. Himanshu Khuranna, a tour organiser cum a B-Com second year student from the city, informs, “I have organised four short retreats to places rich in spiritual energy wherein we are organising chanting sessions, meditation classes, temple visits to  evenings aartis accompanied by some kirtan clubbing.”

On switching over to complete saatvic diets, Pallavi Prabhaker, a diet-consultant based in Pankula Sector 2, quips, “Many youngsters have completely switched over to vegetarian diets for this month. I have specially modified the diet plans of so many of them coming to me for consultations for this month of Sawan. They are completely off eggs, non-vegetarian food and alcoholic drinks instead preferring intermittent fasting and complete detoxification.”