New Delhi, Aug 3 — People in large numbers thronged Lord Shiva temples across the nation to offer prayers and seek blessings on the occasion of the first Monday of the holy month of Sawan.

Temples witnessed a heavy influx of worshippers on the first Monday of the sacred month. The Mondays of the sacred month, also known as Sawan Somwar, are considered a powerful time to build mental strength, overcome stress, seek peace, and secure blessings for marriage.

This year, the holy month of Sawan commenced on July 30 and will conclude on August 28, drawing millions of devotees to temples and pilgrimage sites across the country.

Thousands of devotees gathered at the ghats of the holy city of Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh on the occasion. After taking a holy dip in the River Ganga, devotees proceeded to the Kashi Vishwanath Temple to offer jalabhishek.

The Kashi Vishwanath Temple was adorned with elaborate floral decorations for the occasion, and devotees participated in the Mangala Aarti before offering jalabhishek after the gates were opened.

"We attended the Mangala Aarti. We usually come on the Mondays of Sawan to seek Lord Shiva's blessings. There are very long queues outside, but the arrangements inside the temple are very good. We had a very good darshan," a devotee said.

The Divisional Commissioner of Varanasi Division and the temple's Chief Executive Officer showered flower petals on Kanwariyas and devotees.

"The darshan was smooth, and the arrangements inside the temple were very good. Considering the large crowd, everything has been managed well. As in previous years, there is a huge turnout on the Mondays of Sawan, and this year too the crowd is very large. There is no lack of enthusiasm among the devotees," another devotee said.

In Uttarakhand's Haridwar, devotees offered jalabhishek to Lord Shiva at the Daksha Mahadev Temple amid Vedic chants. The ancient Daksha Mahadev Temple, located in the town of Kankhal, about 4 kilometres south of the main Haridwar city, is revered as the home of in-laws (sasural) of Lord Shiva.

Explaining the significance of Sawan, a temple priest told IANS, "The month of Sawan holds special significance because it is believed that Lord Shiva resides here for this month and symbolically governs the universe from this temple. Since today is the first Monday of Sawan, devotees have been queuing since around 3 a.m. to offer jalabhishek and seek the blessings of Lord Shiva."

"It is believed that Lord Shiva stays at his in-laws' home here for the entire month of Sawan. Whoever comes here to offer prayers has their wishes fulfilled," a devotee said.

Another devotee told IANS, "This temple holds special significance because it is believed to be Lord Shiva's in-laws' home, where he resides throughout the month of Shravan and fulfils the wishes of devotees. That is why every devotee should visit this temple during Shravan."

A large number of devotees gathered at the Baba Baidyanath Temple to offer prayers on the sacred occasion.

"There is a huge crowd on the first Monday of Sawan. The Baba Baidyanath Temple is packed with devotees," the temple priest told IANS.

Devotees expressed their enthusiasm and happiness after seeking the blessings of Lord Shiva.

"The arrangements are very good despite the huge crowd. I am very happy to offer prayers at Baba Baidyanath Temple. This is my first time here, and I will surely visit next year too," a devotee told IANS.

People also praised the administration for ensuring smooth crowd management. "There were a few areas where crowd management could be improved, but overall, the experience was much better than in previous years. The administration has done good work. We are happy to visit Baba Baidyanath Temple and offer our prayers to Lord Shiva," a devotee said.

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