Devotees Celebrate Sawan at Mahakaleshwar and Kashi Vishwanath Temples

Ujjain (Madhya Pradesh) [India], August 12: Devotees gathered at the Mahakaleshwar temple in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh, to offer prayers on the fourth Monday of ‘Sawan’. The Bhasma Aarti was performed at the temple. Prayers were also offered at Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Uttar Pradesh and Sadashiv Mahadev Mandir in Ahmedabad, where Mangala Aarti was performed.

Sawan is a holy month dedicated to Lord Shiva, typically falling between July and August. It is believed that worshipping Lord Shiva during this month brings many blessings. The month is significant in Hindu mythology as the time when Lord Shiva consumed poison from the churning of the ocean, saving the universe.

During Sawan, devotees fast on Mondays, abstaining from grains and consuming only fruits, milk, and specific foods. They chant Shiva mantras, sing bhajans, and perform Rudrabhishek, a ceremonial bathing of the Shiva Lingam.

On August 9, a large number of devotees visited the Nagchandreshwar temple in Ujjain for Naag Panchami. The temple, which opens only once a year on this day, saw devotees offering prayers and milk to the idol of the snake. Priest Vineet Giri mentioned that the doors were opened at midnight, and Trikal pujan was performed. Collector Neeraj Kumar Singh noted that around 30,000 devotees had offered prayers by early morning, with arrangements made for their convenience.