Rare Confluence of Sawan Monday and Nag Panchami Draws Devotees to Shiva Temples
Special Ardhanarishvara Adornment of Baba Vishwanath in Kashi Leaves Devotees Spellbound
Devotees Also Welcomed with Aerial Flower Shower in Barabanki; Major Shiva Shrines Witness Heavy Footfall
Lucknow, August 2026 : An extraordinary wave of faith and devotion swept across the state on the third Monday of the holy month of Shravan. With the rare confluence of Sawan Monday and Nag Panchami, major Shiva temples across the state, including Shri Kashi Vishwanath Dham, witnessed a massive influx of devotees. Devotees who arrived from different parts of the country to seek the darshan of Baba Vishwanath and perform jalabhishek were seen immersed in devotion. On this auspicious occasion, Kanwariyas and devotees were warmly welcomed with showers of flowers as a gesture of reverence and devotion. In Ayodhya, the sacred city of Ram, the chants of ‘Har Har Mahadev’ also continued to reverberate through Shiva temples.
In Varanasi, queues of devotees began forming at Baba Vishwanath’s temple from early morning. With the Mangala Aarti in the first hours of the day, Kashi resonated with auspicious devotional sounds. The ringing of bells, blowing of conch shells and beats of damrus in the temples created an atmosphere steeped in devotion to Lord Shiva. From the lanes of Kashi to Shri Kashi Vishwanath Dham, chants of ‘Har Har Mahadev’ and ‘Bol Bam’ could be heard everywhere. On the directions of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, flowers were showered from helicopters over Kanwariyas and devotees. As rose petals rained down from the sky, devotees of Baba Vishwanath raised chants of ‘Har Har Mahadev’ and ‘Bol Bam’, filling the entire Vishwanath Dham with a deeply devotional atmosphere.
On the evening of the third Sawan Monday, Baba Vishwanath appeared in his special Ardhanarishvara form. Devotees described the darshan of Baba Vishwanath in this form as an exceptionally divine and spiritually uplifting experience. On the directions of the Yogi government, extensive arrangements had been made for the convenience and security of devotees.
In Barabanki, where devotees were immersed in devotion to Lord Shiva on the third Sawan Monday, the enthusiasm of Kanwariyas rose further when they were welcomed with a shower of flowers from the sky. As flowers were showered from helicopters, Kanwariyas were seen raising chants of ‘Har Har Mahadev’ and ‘Bam Bam Bhole’. Devotees present along the route also watched the spectacle. Major Shiva shrines in Barabanki, including Shri Lodheshwar Mahadev, Ramnagar, Budhwa Baba, Ramsanehi Ghat, Auseshwar and Haidergarh, witnessed a heavy gathering of devotees. Kanwariyas continued making their way towards the Shiva temples carrying holy water from sacred rivers to perform jalabhishek of Lord Shiva.
