Devotees offer prayers at Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi on third Monday of ‘Sawan’

Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh) [India], August 5 (ANI): Prayers were offered at the Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Uttar Pradesh’s Varanasi on the third Monday of the month of Sawan.

Prayers were also offered at Parmeshwar Mahadev temple in Ahmedabad, on this occasion

Earlier this morning scores of devotees thronged Jharkhand Mahadev Temple of Jaipur to offer prayers on the occasion of the third Monday of Sawan. Shiva devotees reached Jharkhand Mahadev Temple in large numbers for water anointment of Lord Shiva.

Earlier today, prayers were offered at the Mahakaleshwar temple in Madhya Pradesh’s Ujjain. On the occasion, Bhasma Aarti was also performed at the temple.

Earlier on Friday, devotees thronged Mahakaleshwar temple to offer prayers on the occasion of ‘Sawan Shivratri’.

Sawan month is considered the month of Lord Shiva. It is believed that the devotees who worship Lord Shiva this month received tonnes of blessings. During the Sawan month, a day of Shivratri is also celebrated and the importance of Sawan Shivratri is the same and equal to that of the yearly Shivratri.

This sacred month, typically falling between July and August, is a period of worship, fasting and pilgrimage dedicated to the Lord Shiva.

Sawan holds a special place in Hindu mythology as the month when Lord Shiva is believed to have consumed the poison that emerged from the churning of the ocean (Samudra Manthan), saving the universe from its toxic effects

Devotees undertake fasting and offer prayers to seek the blessings of Lord Shiva during this period. The cooling rains of Sawan are symbolic of Shiva’s compassion and benevolence.

During Sawan, devotees typically observe fasts on Mondays, which are considered auspicious.Many choose to abstain from consuming grains and eat only fruits, milk, and specific foods permissible during fasting.

The chanting of Shiva mantras, singing bhajans (devotional songs), and performing Rudrabhishek (ceremonial bathing of Shiva Lingam with holy substances) are common practices observed with fervour across households and temples.