Sawan’s First Day Sparks Massive Turnout at Ayodhya and Varanasi Shiva Shrines

On the inaugural day of the holy Sawan month, two of North India’s most revered Shiva shrines—Nageshwar Nath in Ayodhya and Kashi Vishwanath in Varanasi—recorded unprecedented crowds. Devotees, many traveling across state borders, participated in the traditional jal‑abhishek, offering sacred water to the lingams while chanting hymns.

In Ayodhya, the early morning saw a sea of saffron‑clad pilgrims. Sunil Pandey, a Delhi resident, explained his ritual sequence: a dip in the Sarayu River, offering water at Nageshwar Nath, and a subsequent visit to Hanumangarhi. He stressed that Shiva responds promptly to heartfelt devotion.

At Kashi Vishwanath, security personnel employed modern crowd‑control techniques, earning appreciation from pilgrims like Rajinder Singh of Amritsar, who described the experience as both safe and spiritually uplifting. A second visitor highlighted that Sawan is the most auspicious period for Lord Shiva worship, anticipating a progressive increase in attendance throughout the month.

Both temples resonated with echoing chants of “Har‑Har Mahadev” and “Bam‑Bam Bholenath”, transforming the sacred spaces into vibrant hubs of devotion and collective prayer.