Varanasi: On Shravan month. Devotees gathered from the night to worship Lord Shiva in the sacred city of Kashi. The Saturday before this final Monday, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath visited Shri Kashi Vishwanath Dham to review the arrangements, instructing local and district officials to ensure smooth access and darshan for devotees.
On this final and fifth Monday of Sawan, the Shankar Parvati Ganesh adornment and the Shravan Purnima annual swing decoration took place, with special worship of Baba’s unique form. Each Monday of Shravan has featured different decorations for Kashi Puradhipati.
On this day, a no-vehicle zone was established from Godaulia and Maidagin to the Vishwanath temple, and free e-rickshaws was provided for the elderly and disabled. Kanwariyas and Shiva devotees were greeted with a red carpet and flower showers. Regular visitors can enter through Kashi Dwar in the morning and evening from 4 to 5.
Kashi, revered for its uniqueness across the three worlds, is immersed in Lord Shankar’s devotion. On the final Monday of the Shravan month, Shiva devotees have been lining up since the night for the ritual of ‘milk bath’ (dugdhabhishek) and ‘water offering’ (jalabhishek) to Lord Visheshwar.
Vishwa Bhushan Mishra, Chief Executive Officer of Shri Kashi Vishwanath Dham, announced that on this fifth Monday of Shravan, the Shankar-Parvati Ganesh adornment and the Shravan Purnima annual swing decoration of Shri Visheshwar was featured, allowing devotees to witness this special form of Baba.
This Monday coincides with Rakshabandhan, which is likely increasing local attendance. Barricading has been set up to manage the crowds and ensure convenience, including orderly queuing within the temple premises. Following instructions from CM Yogi Adityanath, every effort is being made to ensure the comfort of the devotees.
Free e-rickshaws were provided from Maidagin and Godaulia for the elderly and disabled. Additionally, German hangers have been installed to protect against rain and sun, and provisions for water, coolers, and snacks with jaggery have been arranged for the devotees.
CM Yogi Adityanath has directed the administration and police to prepare for a significant increase in devotees on the last Monday of the Shravan month.
Emphasis should be placed on ensuring all attendees’ convenience, ease of darshan, and security. To address this, police will be deployed throughout the area, and CCTV surveillance will be in place. Additionally, teams from the Fire department, NDRF, water police, and medical professionals will remain on high alert, ensuring continuous vigilance and immediate response to any situation.
Throughout the Shravan month, Baba has been adorned in various forms. On the first Monday, the movable idol of Baba Vishwanath was decorated. Devotees received blessings from the special form of Gauri Shankar (Shankar Parvati) on the second Monday. On the third Monday, Baba appeared as Ardhanarishwar, offering darshan to the faithful. On the fourth Monday, Baba was adorned with Rudraksha.
