Bhubaneswar, 03 August (H.S.): A massive surge of devotees was witnessed across Odisha on the first Monday of the holy month of Sawan, as thousands of Kanwariyas flocked to prominent Shiva temples to perform the sacred Jalabhishek ritual. From the early hours of the morning, temples reverberated with chants of “Bol Bam” as devotees offered holy water to Lord Shiva with deep faith and devotion.

Bhubaneswar: A massive surge of devotees was witnessed across Odisha on the first Monday of the holy month of Sawan, as thousands of Kanwariyas flocked to prominent Shiva temples to perform the sacred Jalabhishek ritual. From the early hours of the morning, temples reverberated with chants of “Bol Bam” as devotees offered holy water to Lord Shiva with deep faith and devotion.

Large numbers of devotees, many travelling barefoot, carried water in pitchers suspended on bamboo poles across their shoulders—a traditional Kanwar—after collecting it from nearby rivers and water bodies. The ritual holds immense religious significance, especially on Mondays during Sawan, which are considered highly auspicious for worshipping Lord Shiva.

Devotees believe that performing Jalabhishek with sincerity during Sawan Mondays brings blessings of good health, prosperity, peace, and spiritual growth. Lord Shiva is widely regarded as a deity who is easily pleased, and it is believed that heartfelt prayers during this period are readily answered.

Among the major centres of devotion, hundreds of pilgrims gathered at the Dhabaleswar Temple in Cuttack, while an even larger turnout was seen at the iconic Lingaraj Temple in Bhubaneswar. Long queues of devotees were observed from the early morning hours, with temple authorities ensuring orderly darshan and ritual offerings.

To manage the heavy influx of devotees, elaborate security arrangements were put in place at key shrines across the state. Police personnel were deployed in large numbers to regulate crowds and maintain smooth movement within temple premises.

In addition, authorities implemented precautionary measures along the Mahanadi River and other water sources where devotees collected water. With river levels elevated due to recent rainfall and dam releases, safety arrangements were intensified to prevent any untoward incidents.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Monalisa Panda