Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Thursday offered prayers at the Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi on the first day of the holy month of Sawan, praying for the prosperity, peace and well-being of the nation.
Sharing details of his visit on social media platform X, the Chief Minister said he had the privilege of offering prayers at the revered shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva in the sacred city of Kashi.
“On the auspicious occasion of the month of Shravan, I had the supreme privilege today of visiting and worshipping Shri Kashi Vishwanath in Kashi, the sacred city of Mahadev, the Lord of Lords,” Adityanath said.
Expressing his wishes for the country, he added, “My prayer is that, by the boundless grace of Lord Bholenath, the entire creation may flourish, the nation may steadily advance on the path of prosperity, and the lives of all people may be filled with happiness, peace, abundance and good health. Har Har Mahadev.”
The visit coincided with the commencement of Sawan, one of the holiest months in the Hindu calendar, dedicated to the worship of Lord Shiva. Thousands of devotees thronged Shiva temples across the country on Thursday to offer prayers and seek blessings on the opening day of the sacred month.
Major temples in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Delhi and Uttarakhand witnessed heavy footfall, while preparations for the annual Kanwar Yatra gathered momentum. Devotees also began their pilgrimage to collect holy Ganga water for offering at Shiva temples.
Also known as Shravan Maas, Sawan is observed through fasting, special prayers and the ritual offering of water, milk and other sacred items to Shiva Lingams. The month is associated with devotion, spiritual discipline and self-reflection.
Several important religious observances fall during Sawan, including Shravan Shivratri, the Kanwar Yatra and Hariyali Amavasya. Among these, Shravan Shivratri, observed on the Chaturdashi of Krishna Paksha, is regarded as the most significant festival of the month.
This year, Sawan began on July 30 and will conclude on August 28.
(DD News)
