One Second Darshan! Devotion Floods Sawan Monday
Devotees line up for hours in Kashi and Deoghar, seeking a glimpse of Lord Shiva….
Today marks the first Monday of the holy month of Sawan, a sacred time for Shiva devotees across India. As expected, thousands of devotees thronged major Shiva temples across the country, but the scenes from Kashi Vishwanath Dham and Baba Baidyanath Temple in Deoghar have left everyone amazed and emotional.
At the iconic Kashi Vishwanath temple in Varanasi, the crowd was so massive that each devotee was allowed just one second in front of the deity for darshan. Officials on duty mentioned that to manage the swelling crowds and ensure safety, the line must keep moving continuously, leaving no room for anyone to linger—even for a prayer.
Meanwhile, in Deoghar, Jharkhand, the situation was no less intense. A massive 8-kilometer-long queue of pilgrims was seen early morning, as Kanwariyas holding Ganga water made their way to perform jalabhishek (ritual bathing) on Lord Shiva. Many of them had walked barefoot for miles, while some balanced water-filled pots on their heads, chanting “Bol Bam” and “Har Har Mahadev” with full devotion.
Local administrations at both locations have deployed heavy security and crowd management measures. Over 500 police personnel have been deployed in Kashi, while Deoghar is being monitored using drone surveillance. Arrangements for drinking water, food stalls, emergency medical services, and sanitation have also been made to handle the influx of devotees.
The spiritual atmosphere today was electrifying. Temple bells echoed in the background, priests recited Vedic chants, and the air was thick with devotion. Devotees offered traditional items like bael leaves, milk, honey, curd, and holy water during the rituals.
This year, the spiritual fervor of Sawan has touched new heights. Despite heavy rains in some areas and long waiting hours, the devotion and discipline of the pilgrims remained unwavering.
From young students to elderly women, the crowd was a living portrait of unwavering faith. As the first Monday of Sawan set the tone, the next four Mondays are expected to see even higher footfall.