Security was heightened in Ayodhya on the second Monday of the holy month of Sawan, as thousands of devotees thronged temples to offer prayers to Lord Shiva, marking one of the most sacred days in the Hindu calendar.
According to CO Ashutosh Tiwari, a massive crowd gathered at the Nageshwarnath Temple in Ayodhya. He added, “Monitoring is being carried out through drones and CCTV cameras to ensure safety and convenience. All special units have been deployed in the Ayodhya Dham area in view of the Sawan fair.”
Large queues were also seen outside the Hanumangarhi Temple, with devotees patiently waiting to perform rituals and seek blessings.
Similar religious fervour was witnessed across India:
- In Varanasi, long lines formed outside the Kashi Vishwanath Temple, where CEO Vishwa Bhushan Mishra welcomed devotees by showering flower petals.
- In Gorakhpur, worshippers gathered at Mukteshwar Nath Temple.
- Moradabad’s Kameshwar Mahadev Temple, Ghaziabad’s Dudheshwar Mahadev Temple, and Prayagraj’s Mankameshwar Temple also saw massive footfall.
- Jharkhand’s Baba Baidyanath Temple in Deoghar, one of the twelve Jyotirlingas, drew crowds in large numbers.
- In the Northeast, devotees flocked to Guwahati’s Sukreshwar Temple, while Jaipur’s Jharkhand Mahadev Temple also saw significant gatherings.
Sawan (Shravan), the fifth month of the Hindu lunar calendar, is dedicated to Lord Shiva, the deity of creation, destruction, and transformation. Devotees observe fasts, chant mantras, perform Rudrabhishek, and abstain from grains, subsisting on fruits and dairy.
Mondays (Somwars) during Sawan are considered especially auspicious and are dedicated to Lord Shiva, while Tuesdays are devoted to Goddess Parvati.
This year, Sawan began on July 11 and will conclude on August 9, marking a spiritually intense period for millions of worshippers across India.