The holy city of Varanasi is pulsating with spiritual fervor on the first Monday of the sacred month of Sawan. The abode of Lord Shiva is echoing with chants of Har Har Mahadev as an unprecedented number of devotees throng the Kashi Vishwanath temple, forming a staggering five kilometer long queue for a glimpse of the deity. A massive wave of Shiva devotees has been gathering outside the shrine since late last night, and a similar rush is visible across other prominent temples throughout Varanasi.
Doors Open After Morning Mangala Aarti
The temple doors were thrown open to the public right after the morning Mangala Aarti, marking the beginning of an uninterrupted flow of rituals and holy water offerings. Devotees can be seen standing patiently in long lines after taking a holy dip in the Ganges, carrying sacred river water in their hands. According to the worshippers, it takes roughly two to two and a half hours to reach the inner sanctum and complete the water offering. Inside the temple, visitors are being greeted with showers of flower petals. Temple Trust CEO Vishwabhushan Mishra himself was seen welcoming the Kanwarias by showering rose petals upon them.
Special Entry Arrangements And Security
Vishwabhushan Mishra stated that a total of seven entry gates have been established within the temple complex this season to streamline the movement of Shiva devotees. Additionally, the entire route leading to the temple has been designated as a no vehicle zone. Authorities estimate that approximately eight lakh devotees will have darshan on the first Monday of Sawan. By 7:00 AM, more than 2.25 lakh devotees had already offered their prayers, and this continuous stream of visitors is expected to last late into the night.
Unique Forms Of Darshan And Live Streaming
On different Mondays of Sawan, Baba Vishwanath bestows his blessings upon devotees in distinct divine forms. On this first Monday, the deity is giving darshan in the Shanker form. For millions of devotees who are unable to travel to Varanasi, the temple administration has arranged live darshan facilities. Worshippers can catch live broadcasts through Tata Sky, the official temple website, and Facebook, allowing devotees living abroad to also participate in the sacred rituals from their homes.
Tight Security Measures Across The City
Rigorous security arrangements have been put in place in and around the Kashi Vishwanath temple and neighboring localities. Joint Police Commissioner Shivhari मीणा stated that senior police officers have been patrolling the temple vicinity since late last night, constantly monitoring arrangements and ensuring smooth crowd management.
