One lakh devouts offer prayers at Kashi Vishwanath temple

Varanasi, Aug 6 (UNI) An estimated one lakh devotees from across the country offered prayers at the world famous Kashi Vishwanath temple here on the first Monday of the auspicious 'shrawan' month today.

Sources in temple administration and security informed that an estimated one lakh 'shiv bhakts' had offered prayers at the shrine housing one of the 12 'jyotirlingas' till 1800 hrs today.

Long queues of the orange clad army of 'kanwarias' had lined up on the streets leading to the temple since last night.

The devouts started offering prayers just after the 'mangala arti' early today and the rush of worshippers was continuing till evening at the temple.

The first Monday of the auspicious month was marked by over 2000 'Yadav Bandhus' -- people from the Yadav community -- carrying water from the Ganga river to perform the ritualistic 'jalabhishek' of the 'jyotirlinga' at the world famous shrine.

Tight security provisions had been made to deal with the rush of devotees at the Gyanwapi-Kashi Vishwanath complex housing both the world famous Shiva temple as well as Gyanwapi mosque.

Top administrative and police officials could be seen patrolling across the city especially in areas neighbouring the Kashi Vishwanath temple.

Besides, the Kashi Vishwanath temple rush of devotees was also reported from other well decorated Shiva temples of the city including the Maha Mrityunjai temple, Teelbhandeshwar temple, BHU Vishwanath temple, Kedarghat temple and Markandey Mahadev temple.

UNI