Shiv 'bhakts' swarm Varanasi on first Monday of 'shrawan'

Varanasi, July 17 (UNI) Countless Lord Shiv 'bhakts' (devotees) including saffron-clad 'kanwarias,' today offered prayers at various temples including Kashi Vishwanath amid unprecedented security arrangements on the first Monday of the holy 'shrawan' month.

The ancient city, believed to be the 'abode of Lord Shiv' witnessed heavy rush of devotees at all prominent temples including the world famous temples of Kashi Vishwanath, Markandey Mahadev, Shultankeshwar, Kedareshwar, Mrityunjaya Mahadev and Tilbhandeshwar amid rants of 'Har Har Mahadev'.

The maximum rush of devotees, especially 'kanwarias' was witnessed at Kashi Vishwanath housing one of the 12 'jyotirlingas'.

'Kanwarias' aged from eight to eighty years had lined up at the streets leading to the famed temple for the treasured 'darshan' of the Jyotirlinga since last evening itself.

Unprecedented security arrangements were made at the highly sensitive Kashi-Vishwanath-Gynawapi complex, especially in the wake of the 7/11 Mumbai serial blasts.

The mainstay of the rituals at Kashi Vishwanath was the ceremonial 'jalabhishek' of the jyotirlinga by the people from the Yadav community. Similarly, 'kanwarias' also lined up at Ganga ghats to take sacred water in their 'kanwars' to offer the jyotirlinga.

The district administration and voluntary organisation, as in the past, have made elaborate arrangements for fooding, lodging and medical care of the devotees.

UNI ARS VS PA RN1627