The holy month of Shravan, popularly called Sawan, has begun from today, and to mark the occasion Yogi Adityanath posted a heartfelt message dedicated to devotees of Lord Shiva on the social media platform X.
What the post said
In his post, Yogi Adityanath wrote that the sacred period devoted to the worship and adoration of Lord Shiva has begun from today, describing it as a unique opportunity for spiritual upliftment, restraint and sadhana. He also extended a warm welcome to all Shiva devotees taking part in the Kanwar Yatra. He closed the post with a prayer that Mahadev, the god of gods, fulfils everyone's wishes and brings peace into every life.
Why Sawan and the Kanwar Yatra matter
According to the Hindu calendar, Sawan is considered the most auspicious month of the year for the worship of Lord Shiva. During this period, lakhs of Shiva devotees across the country take part in the Kanwar Yatra, in which kanwariyas dressed in saffron collect holy water from rivers and walk long distances to offer it at Shiva temples in a ritual known as jalabhishek. The Mondays that fall during Sawan, known as Sawan Somwar, carry special religious significance, with devotees observing fasts and performing special prayers and abhishek to Lord Shiva on these days. This year, the holy month began on 30 July.
Public reaction
Yogi Adityanath's post drew a large number of responses on social media. Most users responded with religious greetings such as Har Har Mahadev and Jai Shri Ram, while a few others used the opportunity to raise personal grievances and requests unrelated to the post.
