80,000 devout throng Kashi Vishwanath

Varanasi, Aug 13 (UNI) An estimated 80,000 Lord Shiv 'bhakts' offered prayers at the world famous Kashi Vishwanath temple here on the second Monday of the auspicious month of 'shrawan' today.

An estimated 80,000 devouts from across the country, including the saffron clad army of 'kanwarias', had offered prayers at the temple till 1800 hrs, temple administration and security sources informed.

Today's figure of worshippers at the temple meant a decline of over 20,000 in devotee headcount as compared to the turnout of 'Shiv bhakts' on last Monday.

''Probably the heavy downpour since last night resulted in decline in the flow of devotees to the temple on the Kashi Vishwanath-Gyanwapi complex today,'' temple sources added.

Meanwhile, tight security arrangements coupled with necessary traffic restrictions had been made for the safety and hassle free worship of devotees at the temple housing one of the 12 'jyotirlingas'.

The mainstay of the second Monday celebrations was the 'Har Gauri Shringar' at the temple, comprising special embellishment of the shrine with choicest of flowers and the three silver crowns of Lord Shiv, Goddess Parvati and Lord Ganesh.

Other Shiv temples of this city, believed to be the 'abode of Shiv' also witnessed a continued influx of devotees.

The prominent Shiv temples which were crammed with devotees included the Mrityunjai Mahadeo temple, BHU Vishwanath temple, Teelbhandeshwar temple and Markandey Mahadeo temple.

UNI