Shahjahanpur,

17 July (HS): Hundreds of convicts, including a British lady on death row, are

marking the holy month of Sawan by praying to Lord Shiva with precious Ganga

water.

While

some participate out of religious faith, many inmates fast with the hope of

being released early. The Superintendent of Mizajilal Jail stated that many

convicts had actively participated in Lord Shiva devotion throughout the month

of'sawan'. To aid this, the jail

administration has made the Shiva Purana and other holy literature available to

inmates.

Essential

gifts such as 'belpatra' and 'dhatura' flowers are offered in four temples

within the jail complex. He stated that Ganga water has been brought in from

Panchal Ghat in the adjoining Farrukhabad area, allowing convicts to make daily

'jalabhishek' (water offerings) to the Shiva lingam.

Furthermore,

someone has been assigned to help detainees with rites and religious acts at

the jail temples. The jail superintendent also said that British citizen

Amandeep Kaur, who is on death row for killing her husband in 2015, observes

the Monday fast and worships Lord Shiva every day by presenting

'belpatra'. He reported Amandeep as

stating that her stay in India reinforced her trust in God, and she believes that

her dedication and fasting would result in divine intervention, lowering her

death sentence to a lesser penalty. Currently, the prison facility accommodates

1,301 inmates, including 47 women. There

is a separate temple in the barracks for women, where they all worship and do

rites.

The

official noted that over 500 male and female detainees participate in daily

prayers, with 220 inmates, including 21 women, fasting on Mondays throughout

the month of Sawan. These fasting

convicts are given 500 grams of milk, 750 grams of cooked potatoes, 100 grams

of sugar, and fruits as their meals.

He

observed that during interactions with several convicts, he discovered that

although some fast as an act of contrition, others fast for personal devotion

or in the expectation of being released from jail sooner through supernatural

graces. The Hindu month of Sawan is regarded one of the holiest months

dedicated to Lord Shiva, with fasting, prayers, and ceremonies. Devotees believe that worshiping Lord Shiva

at this period bestows benefits, grants desires, and cleanses them of their

sins.

Hindusthan Samachar / Abhishek Awasthi