Tomorrow is the first Monday of Sawan, a wave of devotion will surge at Shiva temples.

• The Yogi government has made grand preparations to welcome the pilgrims, with elaborate security arrangements.
• Drone cameras, geo-fencing, and the deployment of thousands of police personnel make the security system impenetrable.
• The Yogi government has made extensive arrangements for sanitation, drinking water, and transportation for the convenience of the pilgrims.
• Grand decorations have been made at Shiva temples in major cities like Varanasi, Gorakhpur, Prayagraj, Meerut, and Kanpur, as well as in villages.

Lucknow, August 2026 : The entire state is filled with Shiva during the holy month of Sawan, with chants of “Har Har Mahadev” and “Bam Bam Bhole.” The Kanwars adorned on the shoulders of the pilgrims, immersed in the devotion of Bholenath, and the overflowing faith in the hearts of the devotees, will make this Monday truly extraordinary. It is because of the immense devotion towards Baba Bholenath that devotees began arriving at the Shiva temples late at night, and chants of “Bol Bam” echoed in the darkness. Millions of devotees and pilgrims will be seen queuing up for Baba’s Jalabhishek. The Yogi government has completed extensive preparations for security, sanitation, drinking water, and transportation in several districts, including Varanasi, Gorakhpur, Prayagraj, Meerut, Baghpat, Kanpur, Agra, and Sambhal.

Devotees began pouring in from the night itself.
This surge of faith was evident even before Monday morning. The historic Shri Anandeshwar Temple in Kanpur’s Paramat was crowded with devotees on Sunday. This time, over 300,000 Shiva devotees are expected to arrive. Devotees and pilgrims began arriving at the ancient Shri Parshurameshwar (Pura Mahadev) Temple in Baghpat on Sunday night. At Meerut’s Aghornath and Siddhpeeth Baba Bileshwarnath Mahadev Temple, the Jalabhishek will be held at 4 a.m. Monday, along with the Mangala Aarti, where over 50,000 devotees are expected. According to Harishchand Joshi, priest of the Bileshwarnath Temple, after the Mangala Aarti, Lord Shiva will be specially adorned, and the Jalabhishek will begin immediately thereafter.

Grand Decorations and Unique Traditions
Shri Kashi Vishwanath Dham in Varanasi has been specially decorated for the occasion, where Baba will be adorned with the ‘Shri Shankar Swaroop’ (Lord Shiva) and devotees and pilgrims will be welcomed with a shower of flowers. In Gorakhpur, under tourism development plans, Shiva temples in both the city and villages, such as Mansarovar, Mukteshwarnath, Munjeshwarnath, Piteshwarnath, and Moteshwar Mahadev, have been renovated. Special preparations are also underway at the approximately 118-year-old Pataleshwar Shiva Temple in Chandausi tehsil of Sambhal district, where between 50,000 and 100,000 devotees are expected to visit throughout the month of Sawan. A distinctive feature of this temple is the centuries-old tradition of offering brooms, which is believed to alleviate physical and mental suffering by the grace of Bholenath.

Tight Security and Traffic Management
Special technology and manpower have been deployed in every district to ensure impenetrable security. In Varanasi, approximately 5,000 police personnel have been deployed, dividing the city into five zones and 15 sectors with anti-drone systems and geo-fencing. One lane of the Prayagraj-Varanasi highway has been reserved for Kanwariyas. Over 500 police personnel, including PAC and RAF personnel, have been deployed at the Pura Mahadev Temple complex and the Kanwar route in Meerut and Baghpat. Barricades have been erected, and drones and CCTV surveillance will be in place. At the Anandeshwar Temple in Kanpur, a photo pass with Juna Akhara and police seals has been made mandatory for every attendant and employee. Barricading and security arrangements are also in place at Siddhnath Temple in Jajmau, Jageshwar Mahadev Temple in Nawabganj, and Bankhandeshwar Temple in Peerod. Route diversions and six police posts will be on duty 24 hours a day in Sambhal.

Special arrangements for female Shiva devotees
In Prayagraj, a significant participation of women is being witnessed alongside Shiva devotion. A large number of female Shiva devotees are departing for Kashi carrying water from the Ganga and Yamuna. Special arrangements have been made at the ghats, with female police and disaster responders deployed to provide all possible assistance to female devotees along the way.