Why Do Devotees Flock to Varanasi on the First Monday of Shravan?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Millions gather at Kashi Vishwanath Temple for Shravan.
- Safety measures ensure a smooth experience for devotees.
- Devotional chants fill the air, enhancing the spiritual atmosphere.
- Flower petals showered on pilgrims create a sacred ambiance.
- Significant attendance at other temples like Dudheshwar Nath.
New Delhi, July 14 (NationPress) On the first Monday of the auspicious month of Shravan, also referred to as Sawan, a profound spiritual atmosphere engulfed Uttar Pradesh's Varanasi as millions of devotees congregated at the Kashi Vishwanath Temple for 'Jalabhishek' and to offer their prayers.
The revered city of Varanasi resonated with the chants of “Har Har Mahadev” as the Mangala Aarti and intricate floral arrangements highlighted this significant day of Sawan.
Devotees commenced queuing outside the temple from late Sunday evening, with many waiting between 7 to 8 hours for the temple doors to open. When the gates finally opened, the entire city was filled with spiritual enthusiasm, and the morning air was alive with chants.
Regarding the preparations, Police Commissioner Mohit Agrawal stated, "We are fully prepared here. All senior officers are on-site. Complete barricading has been established. Devotees are experiencing darshan in an organized and systematic way."
To guarantee safety and effective management, a substantial security presence was established. The police commissionerate deployed six Quick Response Teams (QRTs), three drone units, mounted police, and tourist police at strategic locations including Godowlia Chowk, the Ganga Ghats, and around the temple grounds.
As part of the heartfelt welcome, officials showered pilgrims with flower petals, cultivating a profoundly moving and sacred environment.
A devotee expressed their elation, saying, "The arrangements are excellent, and we had a wonderful darshan by the grace of Mahadev."
DCP (Crime) Sarvan T remarked, "Today marks the first Monday of the holy month of Sawan. Considering this, a sufficient police force has been deployed to ensure the safety and security of the devotees."
Similar vibrant scenes unfolded at Ghaziabad's Dudheshwar Nath Temple as well.
This ancient temple, believed to have been revered by Ravana’s father and Chhatrapati Shivaji, also witnessed a considerable influx of devotees, with crowds beginning to gather from midnight.
Mahant Narayan Giri of Dudheshwar Nath Temple shared, "Today is the very special first day of Sawan, which carries immense significance. At our temple, from midnight, devotees assemble for continuous darshan and worship."
Expressing their joy, a devotee shared, "I arrived here at 4:30 a.m. and had darshan around 6 to 6:30 a.m. There is immense faith here. It is said that Ravana and his father worshipped here."