Thousands of devotees across the country thronged Shiva temples on Tuesday on the occasion of Sawan Shivratri, offering prayers, performing Jalabhishek and seeking the blessings of Lord Shiva amid chants of “Har Har Mahadev” and “Bam Bam Bhole”.
Devotees observed fasts and offered milk, water, belpatra, flowers and other items to Shivlings as part of traditional rituals. A large number of Kanwariyas also concluded their Kanwar Yatra and offered sacred Ganga water carried from Haridwar and other pilgrimage centres to Lord Shiva.
Sawan Shivratri, considered one of the most significant festivals dedicated to Lord Shiva after Maha Shivratri, is observed during the holy month of Sawan. Devotees believe that prayers and rituals performed on the occasion bring spiritual fulfilment and divine blessings.
Major Shiva temples across the country conducted special pujas and facilitated darshan for devotees. In several places, elaborate security and crowd-management arrangements were put in place to ensure the smooth conduct of the celebrations.
In Uttar Pradesh’s Varanasi, thousands of devotees gathered at the Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple to participate in Mangala Aarti and perform Jalabhishek. Security was stepped up around the temple and other key areas, with Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC) personnel deployed and drones used for surveillance.
“It feels good to be here on the sacred occasion of Shivratri finally. The arrangements are good. We are very happy to be here,” a devotee told IANS.
Another devotee said, “I am happy to be here and offer my prayers to Lord Shiva. I will perform Jalabhishek and seek blessings of Bholenath. The administration is also ensuring that we do not face any problems.”
In Rishikesh, Uttarakhand, the ancient Veerbhadra Mahadev Temple witnessed a large gathering of devotees. They performed Jalabhishek with water, milk and Panchamrit and offered fruits and bel leaves to Lord Shiva.
The temple premises reverberated with chants of “Har Har Mahadev” as devotees continued with their prayers.
“I took a holy dip in River Ganga and then came here to offer my prayers. The arrangements are very nice, and we are not facing any problems in having darshan,” a devotee said.
Police personnel and temple officials were deployed at the temple to regulate crowds and ensure orderly darshan.
In Haridwar, the Daksheshwar Mahadev Temple also witnessed a large gathering. Devotees offered Ganga water, milk and bel leaves to Lord Shiva and performed traditional rituals.
“This temple is considered to be the home of Lord Shiva’s in-laws. We come here every year on Maha Shivratri and Sawan Shivratri to offer our prayers. It’s a great experience,” a devotee said.
“In this holy month of Sawan, people should offer their prayers to Lord Shiva and seek his blessings. I will also perform Jalabhishek here and offer my prayers to Bholenath,” another devotee told IANS.
In Delhi, the Jhandewalan Devi Temple saw a large turnout of devotees. Kanwariyas carrying sacred Ganga water from Haridwar reached the temple and performed Jalabhishek of Lord Shiva as part of the Shivratri celebrations.
“We came here early in the morning to offer our prayers on this sacred occasion. The atmosphere is very nice, and we are very happy to be here,” a devotee told IANS.
In Ghaziabad, the historic Dudheshwar Nath Math Mahadev Temple also witnessed a massive gathering, with long queues of devotees waiting for darshan and an opportunity to offer prayers.
The temple premises echoed with chants of “Har Har Mahadev” and “Bam Bam Bhole” as devotees sought Lord Shiva’s blessings and prayed for the fulfilment of their wishes.
(IANS Inputs)
