CM Rekha Gupta greets Delhi on first Shravana Somwar
Synopsis
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta marked the first Monday of the sacred Shravana month by reciting the Mahamrityunjaya Mantra and wishing citizens happiness, peace, and national prosperity on the auspicious occasion.
Key Takeaways
Delhi CM Rekha Gupta extended greetings on the first Shravana Somwar , the holiest Monday of the Hindu calendar year for Shiva devotees.
She opened her message with the Mahamrityunjaya Mantra , one of the most sacred Sanskrit verses dedicated to Lord Shiva .
Gupta wished that every life become Shivamay , every family remain happy, and India continue on the path of prosperity.
She closed with the devotional chant 'Har Har Mahadev' , a traditional invocation identifying every soul with the divine.
Shravana is the fifth month of the Hindu lunar calendar and its Mondays are marked by fasting and temple visits across India, including at major Shiva shrines in Delhi .
As the sacred month of Shravana opens its first Monday, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta invoked one of Hinduism's most revered Sanskrit verses to send her blessings to the nation — a moment where governance pauses and devotion speaks.
Gupta opened her message with the Mahamrityunjaya Mantra — 'We worship the three-eyed one, Lord Shiva, the fragrant nourisher of all beings; may he liberate us from the bondage of death, as a cucumber is severed from its vine, and grant us immortality' — before extending heartfelt wishes for Shravana Maas ke pratham Somwar (the first Monday of the Shravana month) to every citizen of the country.
What Shravana Somwar means for millions of devotees
Shravana, the fifth month of the Hindu lunar calendar, is considered the holiest period of the year for devotees of Lord Shiva. Mondays — Somwar — hold special significance throughout this month, with millions observing fasts, visiting Shiva temples, and offering water and milk to the Shivalinga. The month draws enormous footfall at major shrines across Delhi and the rest of India, turning ordinarily busy temple precincts into sites of collective prayer.
Gupta's prayer: every life 'Shivamay', every family at peace
Beyond the ritual greeting, Gupta's message carried a three-part wish: that Mahadev ki kripa (the grace of Lord Shiva) make every life Shivamay — suffused with Shiva's qualities of strength and serenity — that every family remain happy, and that the nation continue to advance on the path of prosperity. She closed with the devotional call 'Har Har Mahadev', the ancient chant that identifies every soul with the divine.
Such observances by Indian political leaders across parties are a well-established part of public outreach on major religious occasions, running alongside routine governance without direct policy linkage. For Gupta, leading a city where Shiva temples draw dense crowds every Shravana Somwar, the greeting carries both cultural resonance and civic warmth.
With Shravana stretching through the coming weeks, temple events and public observances across Delhi will keep the devotional calendar full — and the Chief Minister's message sets the tone for a month where faith and civic life move in step.
Point of View
Projecting personal piety alongside political symbolism. Across the political spectrum, Indian leaders have long used religious-calendar moments to maintain cultural connect with constituents, but for a ruling party whose ideological base is rooted in Hindu cultural nationalism, Shravana greetings carry added resonance. The message is unlikely to shift any political needle, but it reinforces Gupta's visible alignment with the devotional calendar of the city she governs.
NationPress
3 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Shravana Somwar considered auspicious?
Shravana Somwar refers to the Mondays falling in the Hindu lunar month of Shravana, which is dedicated to Lord Shiva. Devotees observe fasts, visit Shiva temples, and offer ritual prayers on these days, believing it brings blessings, health, and prosperity.
What is the Mahamrityunjaya Mantra?
The Mahamrityunjaya Mantra is a sacred Sanskrit verse from the Rigveda addressed to Lord Shiva. It translates roughly as a prayer to the three-eyed deity to liberate the devotee from the fear of death and grant immortality, and is widely chanted for protection and healing.
What did Delhi CM Rekha Gupta post for Shravana Somwar?
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta posted the Mahamrityunjaya Mantra along with wishes for the first Monday of Shravana, praying that every life be filled with Shiva's grace, every family remain happy, and India continue to prosper.
What is the significance of Shravana month in Hinduism?
Shravana is considered the holiest month of the Hindu calendar for devotees of Lord Shiva. Fasting, temple visits, and special prayers — particularly on Mondays — are observed throughout the month, with major shrines across India seeing very high footfall.
