The 'Har Har Mahadev' chant and sounds of bell resonated across the city as thousands of devotees thronged temples to seek blessings of Lord Shiva on the seventh Monday of the auspicious Shravan month.
Due to Naag Panchami on Monday, a sea of devotees was witnessed in the Mankameshwar Temple, Nagwasuki Temple Daraganj and Padila Mahadeo temple at Phaphamau.
Queues that stretched up to several metres were seen around Mankameshwar Temple. Men and women came in large numbers carrying holy water to conduct ‘Jal Abhishek’ of Lord Shiva. Temples were decked up with colourful lights and flowers. The devotees waited in long queues since early morning to offer prayers to the deity and sung ‘bhajans’. Inside the temples, the fragrance of agarbattis, sandalwood and flowers gave a pious feel. A large number of kanwariyas also gathered at Shiva temples to offer holy water. In the temples devotees poured milk, curd, honey, ghee and bael (bilwa) leaves on shivlings and prayed for the well-being and prosperity of the family. People also offered prasad (sweets) to the deity along with flowers which were later distributed among devotees. “Lord Shiva is the one who removes all hindrances in the way of his devotee’s life. During the month of Shravan, we visit temple every Monday,” said Shubhra Shukla.
Devotees also observe fast on every Monday falling in Shrawan month. “It is believed unmarried girls who observe fast on all Mondays of the month get good husbands. Married women keep it for peace and prosperity of the family. Besides, fasting purifies our soul and provides inner strength,” said Alka Singh another visitor to the temple.
Throwing light on the importance of Somvar, Dr Ram Naresh Tripathi said it is said that Lord Shiva showers blessings on all those who remember him with true heart.
In comparison to the first Monday, when a sea of saffron clad Kanwariyas and pilgrims flooded the city, the turnout was high on the seventh Monday. The crowd queued up for offering jalabhishek at Mankameshwar Mandir was more in comparison to first Monday of the holy month.
Experts believe that this time Naag Panchami has become a rare coincidence. Along with Mankameshwar Dham, Someshwar Mahadev, Pandeshwar Mahadev, Koteshwar Mahadev, Takshakeshwar Mahadev, Sujawan Dev, Rishiyan of Prayagraj, Dashashwamedh Ghat and Naag Vasuki Temple in Daraganj are also crowded with devotees.
According to the Vedic calendar, Naag Panchami is celebrated every year on the fifth day of the Shukla Paksha of the month of Shrawan. There is importance of worshiping snakes on Naag Panchami. Vasuki Naag is specially worshiped on this day. Bholenath keeps Vasuki Naag wrapped around his neck like a necklace. That's why its importance increases even more when Naag Panchami falls on the day of Lord Shiva’s favourite Shrawan Monday.