Patna: Temples and shrines across the country witnessed heavy footfall on Monday as devotees marked the second Monday of Sawan – a day considered highly auspicious for the worship of Lord Shiva. This year, the occasion coincides with Kamada Ekadashi, a rare alignment occurring after a decade, intensifying the spiritual fervour.
According to astrologers, this convergence last took place in 2015 and prior to that in 2008. In addition to Kamada Ekadashi, the day is marked by four auspicious yogas – Vriddhi Yoga, Sarvarth Siddhi Yoga, Jayad Yoga, and Sarvarth Amrit Siddhi Yoga – alongside the presence of Rohini Nakshatra, making it especially significant in the Hindu calendar.
Dual worship: Shiva and Vishnu
While Lord Shiva remained the central deity of devotion, many also offered prayers to Lord Vishnu, owing to the Ekadashi tithi. Worshippers performed rituals using traditional offerings – belpatra for Shiva and tulsi leaves for Vishnu.
Spiritual leaders emphasised the importance of sincere devotion on this day. “Worship performed today brings manifold spiritual merit,” said Acharya Rakesh Jha. “Devotees offer Gangajal, milk, bhang-dhatura, akvan, honey and ghee to please Lord Shiva.”
Special significance for marital harmony
Married couples observed the day by jointly worshipping Goddess Parvati along with Lord Shiva, believing it strengthens marital bonds. Meanwhile, unmarried women prayed for a desirable life partner, and men fasted and offered water to Bholenath for a compatible spouse.
Shivlings were bathed with a mix of Gangajal, Panchamrit, sugarcane juice, milk, curd, ghee, honey, and jaggery. Devotees adorned the deity with sandalwood, garlands, belpatra, perfume, and chanted the mantra ‘Om Umamaheshwaraya Namah’.
Symbolism of offerings
Each item offered to Shiva holds symbolic significance. While Gangajal is believed to bring mental peace, milk promotes good health, and curd represents stability. Ghee enhances strength and wisdom, honey symbolises sweet speech, and jaggery is thought to dispel sorrow and poverty. Other offerings like saffron, bhasm, and bhang are associated with spiritual purity, respect, and relief from ailments.
Auspicious timings for rituals
- Ekadashi Tithi ends at 08:04 am
- Amrit Muhurta: 05:12 am – 06:53 am
- Shubh Muhurta: 08:34 am – 10:15 am
- Abhijit Muhurta: 11:29 am – 12:23 pm
- Chara-Laabh-Amrit Muhurta: 01:37 pm – 06:40 pm
- Pradosh Kaal Muhurat: 06:40 pm – 08:54 pm
