LUCKNOW, INDIA, JULY 16, 2011 (Daiji World): Devotees thronged to Lord Shiva temples in Uttar Pradesh Saturday to offer prayers on the onset of the Hindu month of `Shravan’ that heralds the coming of the monsoon. Shiva temples witnessed a huge turnout including Mankameshwar, Buddeshwar, Kalyangiri, Siddhnath and Koneshwar.
Amidst chants of `Bam Bam Bhole’ and `Har Har Mahadev’, devotees were seen awaiting their turn to offer milk, water, honey and leaves of wood apple to Lord Shiva. In Varanasi, a festive mood was all-pervasive in temples, particularly in the ancient Vishwanath temple, where the ritual `Rudrabhishek’ and prayers were performed.
Over 35,000 people, including `Kanwarias’ (Shiva devotees) are expected to arrive at the Vishwanath temple by noon, an official said. Kanwarias, the orange-robed devotees of Lord Shiva, collect holy water of the Ganga river in Haridwar in pots and walk back to their home during Shravan.