Beeline of devotees at Shiv temples in Prayagraj marks 1st ‘Somvar' of Shrawan
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Prayagraj: All prominent Lord Shiv temples in Sangam city witnessed a huge rush of devotees on the occasion of the first 'Somvar' of the ongoing Shrawan month, considered to be one of the most auspicious days in the Hindu calendar.
All the temples reverberated with chants of 'Har Har Mahadev' and 'Om Namah Shivay'.
Prominent Lord Shiv temples across the city, including Mankameshwar, Someshwar Mahadev and Padila Mahadev, witnessed long queues of devotees waiting for their turn to offer prayers to Lord Shiv.
Barricading by police around prominent Lord Shiv temples, including Mankameshwar and Padila Mahadev, helped the police as well as temple authorities to regulate the crowd.
There were separate entry and exit points, and a network of CCTV cameras kept a constant watch on the activities of devotees. The devotees offered milk, honey, sandalwood paste, and leaves of wood apple on the 'shivaling'.
Throwing light on the importance of Shrawan 'Somvar', noted religious scholar Dr Amitabh Gour says, "Lord Shiv showers blessings on devotees, and this motivates scores of Shiva devotees, especially kanwariyas, to travel hundreds of kilometres barefoot and offer prayers at the Shiva 'jyotirlinga'."
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He further said, "Mondays, or Somvar, in the month of Shrawan are considered highly auspicious for praying to Lord Shiv. As it is believed that the worship of Lord Shiv during the Shrawan month is 108 times more powerful than worshipping during normal days, scores of devotees keep Vrat (fasting) and perform puja and other purification rituals. The devotees offer Bilva leaves (Bel Patra), white flowers, water, honey, and milk.
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