Kathmandu— Millions of devotees converged on Shiva temples across India on Monday, marking the second Somwar (Monday) of the auspicious month of Sawan, a period deeply revered by followers of Lord Shiva. From Varanasi’s Kashi Vishwanath Temple to Baba Baidyanath Dham in Deoghar, and extending as far as Mumbai and Guwahati, temples resonated with chants and prayers as devotees participated in special rituals and offered their devotion. The observance included early morning aartis, the offering of Gangajal (holy water from the Ganges), and Jalabhishek – the ceremonial pouring of water over the Shivling.

Nationwide Observances

The Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi saw a significant influx of worshippers, with temple trust CEO Vishwa Bhushan Mishra showering flower petals upon them. Similar scenes unfolded in Ayodhya and Prayagraj, where devotees thronged temples to offer prayers. In Kanpur, the Nageshwar Baba Mandir was filled with worshippers, while Hapur’s Siddha Peeth Sabli Mahadev Temple hosted Jalabhishek ceremonies. Further east, a large number of Kanwar Yatris visited Baba Baidyanath Dham in Deoghar, offering Gangajal and seeking blessings.

Temple Management and Crowd Control

Authorities prepared for the surge in visitors, particularly at key pilgrimage sites. Deoghar Deputy Commissioner Saurabh Kumar Bhuwania reported that holding points with a capacity of five lakh people were established to manage crowds effectively. “We had made holding points with a capacity of 5 lakh,” he said. “Extra deployment of Force Magistrates has been made.” He noted the congestion was improved compared to the previous Monday due to these measures.

Significance of Sawan and Rituals

Sawan, which began on July 30th and concludes August 28th this year, is considered a highly auspicious month for devotees of Lord Shiva. Shrinath Maharaj of Baba Baidyanath Dham emphasized the sanctity of the period, stating that “Baba Baidyanath is pleased this month.” Devotees believe observing Somwar Vrat (Monday fasts) during Sawan brings peace, prosperity and fulfillment of wishes. The Kanwar Yatra, a traditional pilgrimage involving collecting water from the Ganges, also takes place throughout the month.

The second Monday of Sawan concluded with continued devotion and large gatherings at Shiva temples across India, signifying the deep-rooted faith and reverence for Lord Shiva among millions.

(With inputs from ANI)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.