Devotees Flock to Daksheswar Mahadev Temple for Sawan Shivratri Celebrations

Devotees gathered at Daksheswar Mahadev Temple in Haridwar to celebrate Sawan Shivratri, offering prayers and performing rituals. The temple saw disciplined queues with police assistance, and the Chief Priest highlighted the spiritual significance of the festival and the successful conclusion of the 12-day Kanwar fair.

On Friday, devotees converged at the Daksheswar Mahadev Temple in Haridwar, Uttarakhand, to celebrate 'Sawan Shivratri,' offering prayers to Lord Shiva. Visuals from the site showed people waiting in orderly queues outside the temple. Police officials were on hand to assist the devotees during their visit.

Vishweshwar Puri, the Chief Priest of Daksheswar Mahadev Temple, spoke to ANI about the festival's significance. He said, 'Today is the Shivratri of Sawan Krishna Paksha. The 12-day Kanwar fair has ended on this day.' He further explained that devotees performed 'jalabhishek' of Lord Shiva at the temple, which he referred to as Lord Shiva's in-laws' house in Kankhal. The priest added that Lord Shiva's marriage to Sati on Mahashivratri is symbolically re-enacted through 'jalabhishek' and offerings of Ganga water, milk, curd, honey, and belpatra.

Discussing security arrangements, Puri assured, 'The security system is strong, and the temple is organized. All visitors are performing 'jalabhishek' in a disciplined queue.' Sawan Shivratri is a prominent Hindu festival with deep religious significance, celebrating the union of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. Observed on the 14th day of the lunar month, the sacred period between July and August sees worship, fasting, and pilgrimages dedicated to Lord Shiva.

The Kanwar Yatra procession, which started on July 22, involves Kanwariyas collecting water from rivers and carrying it over hundreds of kilometers to offer at Lord Shiva shrines. The pilgrimage concludes on August 2, coinciding with Shivratri.

(With inputs from agencies.)