Ranchi’s historic Pahadi Mandir is all set to host the auspicious month of Shrawan starting July 17. The temple authorities and the Ranchi District Administration have jointly made elaborate arrangements for ensuring a peaceful month of celebrations and festivities in the State capital.
Officials from the Pahadi Mandir Vikash Samiti, the administrative body of the temple, on Tuesday said that at least 10 CCTV cameras have been installed across the temple premises in order to maintain surveillance during the holy month’s festivities. “Considering the high footfall at the temple during Shrawan, the temple authorities have introduced Argha system, which enables devotees to perform Shrawan rituals without touching the deity,” said Mukesh Agarwal, the Public Relation Officer (PRO) of the temple.
The door of the temple will open at 4am every day during the holy month, said Agarwal, adding that the temple authorities have also arranged for accommodation of devotees during night. “We will distribute food to the devotees and also arrange for clean and safe drinking water during the month. We have started cleaning the temple and decorating the premises for the grand festivities,” Agarwal said.
The pre-independence era temple is one of the most visited shrines in Jharkhand. The temple, atop a hill, is one of the tourist destinations in the state and witnesses a huge footfall of several thousand devotees during Shrawan.
Shrawan, which comes in the fifth month of the Hindu calendar, starts in late July and ends in the third week of August.
According to Hindu mythology, offering Ganges water to lord Shiva during the month is one of the most sacred forms of offering prayers to the deity.
Devotees throng Shiva temples across the globe on the Mondays that come during the auspicious month. Several devotees from neighbouring states visit Ranchi during the month.
Meanwhile, the Indian Railways has announced special trains for the pilgrims coming to Jharkhand during Shrawan.
Agarwal Assembly of Women Association Ranchi is also going to convene the 21st Shrawan celebration from July to August at Maharaja Agrasen Bhawan, Upper Bazar. Women from Dhanbad, Bangalore, Surat and other cities will take part in this programme. Handmade decorative items, gift items, colorful rakhis, bed sheets, pickles and suit pieces will be put on sale during the month here.