Last ‘Somvari' of Shrawan: Devotees brave rain to offer prayers at Shiv temples
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Patna: As the holy month of Shrawan draws to a close on Aug 9, devotees flocked to nearby Shiv temples on Monday to offer prayers on the final Monday of the auspicious period. Despite persistent heavy rainfall and waterlogging across the city, worshippers remained undeterred.
From the early hours of the morning, streets were filled with women dressed in green attire and accessories, queuing patiently to perform the sacred 'jalabhishek' ritual on the Shivling.
This act of devotion is not limited to adult women alone. Many young girls also participate in the Shrawan worship. Naina Kumari, now 18, began observing fasts and performing rituals during Shrawan when she was just 8-year-old. Speaking after her visit to a temple on Boring Road, she said, "There are almost 60 women waiting in line at a time, and the road is congested because the queue is extending to the streets.
No amount of heavy rainfall can stop us from going and worshipping Shiv on the last Monday.
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Maya Shankar Jha, a priest with nearly 25 years of experience, said, "All Mondays in the month of Shrawan are auspicious, but people especially believe the first and last Monday of Shrawan to be more holy. All those who could not offer their prayers on the first Monday rush to temples on the last Monday, as this comes only once every year."
He added, "Jalabhishek is mostly done using three things. It is either Gangajal, sugarcane juice or cow milk. All three signify different purposes – people offer 'Gangajal' to wish for good health and wellbeing. Sugar cane juice is offered to bring in wealth and prosperity and cow milk is offered to wish for improved fertility and good health of children."
An official from Mahavir Mandir, one of Patna's largest and most prominent temples, said, "More than 1,000 people have already visited the temple since 5am to do 'jalabhishek'. It went on till noon, and almost 64 slots for Rudra Abhishek are planned out for the rest of the day."
It is widely believed that those who offer prayers to Lord Shiva on the final sacred Monday of Shrawan, with devotion and sincerity, will have their wishes and desires fulfilled.
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Time of India
2 days ago
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Last ‘Somvari' of Shrawan: Devotees brave rain to offer prayers at Shiv temples
1 2 3 4 Patna: As the holy month of Shrawan draws to a close on Aug 9, devotees flocked to nearby Shiv temples on Monday to offer prayers on the final Monday of the auspicious period. Despite persistent heavy rainfall and waterlogging across the city, worshippers remained undeterred. From the early hours of the morning, streets were filled with women dressed in green attire and accessories, queuing patiently to perform the sacred 'jalabhishek' ritual on the Shivling. This act of devotion is not limited to adult women alone. Many young girls also participate in the Shrawan worship. Naina Kumari, now 18, began observing fasts and performing rituals during Shrawan when she was just 8-year-old. Speaking after her visit to a temple on Boring Road, she said, "There are almost 60 women waiting in line at a time, and the road is congested because the queue is extending to the streets. No amount of heavy rainfall can stop us from going and worshipping Shiv on the last Monday. " Maya Shankar Jha, a priest with nearly 25 years of experience, said, "All Mondays in the month of Shrawan are auspicious, but people especially believe the first and last Monday of Shrawan to be more holy. All those who could not offer their prayers on the first Monday rush to temples on the last Monday, as this comes only once every year." He added, "Jalabhishek is mostly done using three things. It is either Gangajal, sugarcane juice or cow milk. All three signify different purposes – people offer 'Gangajal' to wish for good health and wellbeing. Sugar cane juice is offered to bring in wealth and prosperity and cow milk is offered to wish for improved fertility and good health of children." An official from Mahavir Mandir, one of Patna's largest and most prominent temples, said, "More than 1,000 people have already visited the temple since 5am to do 'jalabhishek'. It went on till noon, and almost 64 slots for Rudra Abhishek are planned out for the rest of the day." It is widely believed that those who offer prayers to Lord Shiva on the final sacred Monday of Shrawan, with devotion and sincerity, will have their wishes and desires fulfilled.
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Huge influx of devotees on last Shrawan Mon amid flood alert
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