New Delhi, July 30 (IANS) The holy month of Sawan commenced on Thursday with thousands of devotees across the country flocking to Shiva temples to offer prayers and seek the blessings of Lord Shiva.
From Bihar and Uttar Pradesh to Delhi and Uttarakhand, temples witnessed a heavy influx of worshippers on the first day of the sacred month, while preparations for the Kanwar Yatra gathered momentum.
In Bihar’s capital Patna, devotees visited various Shiva temples early in the morning to perform ‘jalabhishek’ and offer prayers to Lord Shiva. Long queues of worshippers were seen outside temples as people marked the beginning of one of the most auspicious months in the Hindu calendar.
In Uttarakhand, the fervour was visible in Haridwar, where Kanwariyas carrying holy Ganga water began their onward journeys to different destinations. Authorities have made extensive security arrangements for the Kanwar Yatra, deploying a large number of police personnel along the route. Officials said the entire pilgrimage route is being monitored through a network of high-tech CCTV cameras to ensure the safety and security of devotees.
In Rishikesh, thousands of devotees and Kanwariyas started arriving at prominent Shiva temples, including the famous Neelkanth Mahadev Temple, from midnight onwards. Devotees stood in long queues to offer water, milk, flowers, fruits and sweets to Lord Shiva. Temple authorities reported a significant increase in footfall compared to regular days.
The spirit of devotion was equally visible in the national capital. A large number of devotees visited the historic Gauri Shankar Temple in Old Delhi to offer prayers on the first day of Sawan. Worshippers participated in special rituals and sought blessings for peace, prosperity and well-being.
One devotee at the temple told IANS, “I pray that God keeps everyone happy and always blesses me with a place at His feet. Today is the first day of Sawan, but the real rush will be seen on the first Monday of the month when very long queues of devotees are expected.”
In neighbouring Noida, devotees gathered at the Sanatan Temple in Sector 19 to mark the beginning of the holy month. Temple premises remained crowded throughout the day as worshippers performed rituals and offered prayers.
Religious enthusiasm was also witnessed in Ayodhya, where devotees visited the Ram Temple and other places of worship on the occasion. The beginning of Sawan drew pilgrims from nearby districts and neighbouring states.
Meanwhile, one of the largest gatherings was reported from Varanasi, where thousands of devotees visited the revered Kashi Vishwanath Temple. Pilgrims from different parts of the country arrived to offer prayers to Lord Shiva.
A devotee told IANS, “We have come from Amritsar. We were unsure about the journey initially, but around a week ago we started preparing. When Baba called us, we made the trip.”
Another devotee at the temple said, “Today marks the beginning of the holy month of Sawan and the celebrations dedicated to Lord Bholenath. This is only the beginning, and the number of devotees will continue to increase in the coming weeks. The arrangements here are excellent.”
Sawan, also known as Shravan Maas, is considered one of the most sacred months in the Hindu calendar and is dedicated to the worship of Lord Shiva. During this period, devotees observe fasts, perform special pujas and offer water, milk and other sacred offerings to Shiva Lingams. The month is associated with spiritual growth, self-discipline, devotion and reflection.
Several important religious observances take place during Sawan, including Shravan Shivratri, Kanwar Yatra and Hariyali Amavasya. Among these, Sawan Shivratri, observed on the Chaturdashi of Krishna Paksha, is regarded as the most significant occasion of the month.
This year, the holy month of Sawan begins on July 30 and will conclude on August 28, drawing millions of devotees to temples and pilgrimage sites across the country.
–IANS
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