The holy month of Sawan commenced on Thursday with thousands of devotees across the country thronging Shiva temples to offer prayers and seek the blessings of Lord Shiva. Temples in several states witnessed heavy footfall on the first day of the sacred month, while preparations for the annual Kanwar Yatra gathered momentum.
From Bihar and Uttar Pradesh to Delhi and Uttarakhand, devotees participated in special prayers, jalabhishek and other religious rituals, marking the beginning of one of the most auspicious periods in the Hindu calendar.
In Bihar’s capital, Patna, devotees gathered at Shiva temples from the early hours of the morning to perform jalabhishek and offer prayers. Long queues were seen outside temples as worshippers observed the first day of Sawan with religious fervour.
In Uttarakhand, large numbers of Kanwariyas carrying holy Ganga water began their onward journey from Haridwar to Shiva temples across northern India. Authorities have deployed additional police personnel along the Kanwar Yatra route, with the entire pilgrimage corridor being monitored through a network of high-tech CCTV cameras to ensure the safety and security of devotees.
Rishikesh also witnessed a surge in pilgrim arrivals, with thousands of devotees visiting prominent Shiva temples, including the Neelkanth Mahadev Temple, from midnight onwards. Devotees offered water, milk, flowers, fruits and sweets to Lord Shiva, while temple authorities reported a significant rise in footfall compared to regular days.
In the national capital, devotees flocked to the historic Gauri Shankar Temple in Old Delhi to offer prayers and participate in special rituals seeking peace, prosperity and well-being.
“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,” a devotee at the temple told IANS.
In neighbouring Noida, devotees gathered at the Sanatan Temple in Sector 19 throughout the day to perform rituals and offer prayers, while Ayodhya also witnessed a large turnout of pilgrims visiting the Ram Temple and other places of worship.
One of the largest congregations was reported from Varanasi, where thousands of devotees visited the Kashi Vishwanath Temple to seek the blessings of Lord Shiva.
“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,” a devotee at the temple told IANS.
Another devotee said the number of pilgrims was expected to rise further in the coming weeks.
“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,” the devotee said.
Sawan, also known as Shravan Maas, is regarded as one of the holiest months in the Hindu calendar and is dedicated to the worship of Lord Shiva. During the month, devotees observe fasts, perform special pujas and offer water, milk and other sacred offerings to Shiva Lingams. The period is associated with devotion, self-discipline, spiritual growth and reflection.
Several important religious observances fall during Sawan, including Shravan Shivratri, the Kanwar Yatra and Hariyali Amavasya. Among these, Shravan Shivratri, observed on the Chaturdashi of Krishna Paksha, is considered the most significant festival of the month.
This year, Sawan began on July 30 and will conclude on August 28, with millions of devotees expected to visit Shiva temples and pilgrimage centres across the country.
(With IANS inputs)
