Lakhs of devotees gathered at the revered Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi on the first Monday of Shravan, also known as Sawan, and filled the holy city with deep spiritual energy as they offered Jalabhishek to Lord Shiva.
Chants of ‘Har Har Mahadev’ filled the morning air, while Mangala Aarti and vibrant floral decorations marked the temple’s rituals for the special day.
Starting from late Sunday night, the faithful began queuing, with many waiting up to eight hours for their turn to enter the sanctum.
Police Commissioner Mohit Agrawal said, “We have fully prepared for the crowd. All senior officers are on-site, and we have set up complete barricading to ensure a systematic and safe darshan experience.”
To ensure public safety, the Varanasi police commissionerate also deployed a comprehensive security setup.
This included six Quick Response Teams (QRTs), three drone surveillance units, mounted police, and tourist police stationed at key junctions like Godowlia Chowk, the Ganga Ghats, and the temple precincts.
In a moving gesture, authorities showered flower petals on pilgrims as they arrived, creating a serene and welcoming environment for worship.
Devotees share joyful experiences
A pilgrim expressed satisfaction, saying, “The arrangements are excellent. We had a smooth darshan by Mahadev’s grace. The energy and faith here are indescribable.”
DCP (Crime) Sarvan T added, “Today, being the first Monday of Sawan, we have deployed additional forces for crowd control and the safety of all devotees.”
The spiritual enthusiasm wasn’t limited to Varanasi. In Ghaziabad, the historic Dudheshwar Nath Temple also witnessed large gatherings from midnight onwards.
The temple, with legends linking it to Ravana’s father and Chhatrapati Shivaji, holds a special place in the hearts of Shiva devotees.
Mahant Narayan Giri of the temple said, “The first day of Sawan is of immense spiritual significance. Devotees begin darshan and worship from midnight itself.”
A devotee also shared, “I reached at 4:30 AM and had darshan by 6:30 AM. This temple has a powerful aura. It is believed even Ravana and his father worshipped here.”
Devotees are further setting the tone for the month of Shravan by flocking to temples across India in large numbers on the first Monday.
Moreover, the blend of devotion, tradition, and well-managed arrangements ensures that the sacred spirit of Sawan thrives in every corner of the country.
Also Read: Sawan Begins With Devotion As Devotees Gather In Ujjain & Haridwar
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