Sawan First Somwar: Massive Crowd at Kashi Vishwanath Temple as Devotees Line Up for Darshan in Varanasi

Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh) [India], July 14 (ANI): Devotees flocked to the temple of Lord Shiva in Varanasi's Kashi Vishwanath Temple on the first Monday of the Sawan month. Devotees were also seen queuing up to offer prayers and perform rituals dedicated to Lord Shiva at Varanasi's Kashi Vishwanath Temple, as the auspicious month of Sawan continues to draw crowds to one of the 12 Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva. Following this, security was heightened at the temple.

Police Commissioner Mohit Agarwal said a dedicated lane for the kanwariyas has been created and arrangements have been made for surveillance through drones in the nearby areas of the temple. "In 'Saavan', around lakhs of devotees visit the Kashi Vishwanath temple in a day. In regard to that, we have been making preparations for the last month. Many people come here from Prayagraj, so we have created a dedicated lane for the kanwariyas coming from that route...The whole route is covered with CCTVs...We have made arrangements for surveillance through drones in the nearby areas of the temple...We have done the barricading near the temple for the convenience of devotees...," Police Commissioner Mohit Agarwal told ANI.

In Lucknow's Mankameshwar Temple, devotees offered prayers on the first Monday of the Sawan month. This year, Shravan began on July 11 and will conclude on August 9. It is the fifth month of the Hindu lunar calendar and is considered one of the holiest periods for Shiva devotees.

Central Lucknow DCP Ashish Srivastava said, "On the first Monday of Saawan, a large number of people are expected to visit the Mankameshwar Temple. The arrangements made earlier have been further improved. Lighting and CCTV have been increased, and road arrangements have also been enhanced. Shops have been organised to ensure the roads remain as open as possible for the maximum number of devotees."