Devotees Celebrate First Monday of Sawan with Enthusiasm Across India
Religious Fervor on the First Monday of Sawan
Today marks the first Monday of the sacred month of Sawan, and across the nation, Shiva temples are buzzing with extraordinary religious fervor and devotion. As dawn broke, a large number of devotees flocked to the temples for worship and water offerings. Temples like Mahakaleshwar in Ujjain, Kashi Vishwanath in Varanasi, and Baba Baidyanath Dham in Deoghar resonated with chants of 'Har Har Mahadev' and 'Bam Bam Bhole'.
At prominent pilgrimage sites such as Mahakaleshwar Temple in Ujjain, Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi, and Baba Baidyanath Dham, a wave of devotion was palpable. Images from across the country showcased the massive crowds participating in the rituals of the first Monday.
Early Morning Rituals at Mahakaleshwar Temple
Devotees began queuing up at Ujjain's Mahakaleshwar Temple late Sunday night to witness the morning rituals. The temple doors opened at 2:30 AM, followed by the sacred Bhasma Aarti at 3:00 AM. Before the Aarti, the deity was bathed with holy water, and a grand Panchamrit Abhishek was performed, which included milk, yogurt, ghee, honey, and fruit juice. After this ritual, Baba Mahakal was adorned with bhang and sandalwood, enhancing the beauty of the idol. Amidst the chants of devotees and the sounds of traditional instruments, the sacred Bhasma was offered to Baba Mahakal.
Welcoming Devotees at Kashi Vishwanath
A significant crowd was also observed at Kashi Vishwanath Dham in Varanasi on this auspicious day. The temple administration welcomed pilgrims and devotees arriving from afar for water offerings with a shower of flowers. Following the Mangala Aarti, devotees began arriving for the water offerings, forming long queues on both sides. They entered the temple complex through various gates, including Gate No. 4 Silk Gali and Gate No. 4-A, while others came from Dhundhiraj Gate No. 1 and Nannu Fariya Lane. The Varanasi police were on high alert to manage the crowd and ensure safety.
Massive Gatherings at Baba Baidyanath Dham
In Jharkhand's Deoghar, a large number of devotees gathered at Baba Baidyanath Dham for water offerings on the first Monday of Sawan. Kanwariyas walk nearly 100 kilometers from Sultan Ganj carrying Ganga water to perform the offerings. Given the crowd size, strict security measures were implemented throughout the temple and city, including additional barricades for the water offerings.
In Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, long lines of devotees were also seen at the Dudheshwar Nath Temple, where they were offering water to Lord Shiva. The police and local administration had made extensive security arrangements in response to the large turnout.
Social Media Highlights
#WATCH उज्जैन(मध्य प्रदेश): सावन के पहले सोमवार को महाकालेश्वर मंदिर में महाकाल भस्म आरती की गई। pic.twitter.com/o9nbwEVyRA
— News Media (@AHindinews) August 3, 2026