Patna: A surge of devotees thronged temples across Patna on Monday to mark the third Monday of the holy month of Sawan, considered especially auspicious in the Hindu calendar for the worship of Lord Shiva.
Long before dawn, crowds began gathering at the centuries-old Panchmukhi Shiva temple located near BNR in Patna, where worshippers offered prayers and performed Jalabhishek rituals with sacred water. The historic riverside temple, estimated to be around 400 years old, also saw a steady influx of devotees throughout the day.
In Bihta block, large queues were reported at the Baba Biteshwarnath temple as early as 3am. Devotees lined up to perform rituals and seek blessings. Local authorities deployed police personnel to manage the crowds and ensure order during the religious observances.
This year, the third Monday of Sawan coincided with several other auspicious alignments in the Hindu calendar, including Sawan Shukla Chaturthi, Purva Phalguni Nakshatra, Variyan Yoga, Raviyog, and Ganesh Chaturthi. As a result, alongside traditional Shiva worship, special prayers were also offered to Lord Ganesha and to Shiva in his Ardhanarishwar form.
Astrologer Acharya Rakesh Jha noted that worship during such a convergence of yogas and nakshatras could lead to “stable wealth and good fortune”. He recommended rituals such as Rudrabhishek, Parthiv Puja, and the chanting of sacred hymns including Shiva Sahasranama, Shiva Mahimna, Mahamrityunjaya Mantra, and Shiva Tandava Stotra, repeated 108 times for spiritual and material benefits.
Pandits across the city guided devotees in performing elaborate rituals. Offerings included water, sandalwood, belpatra, bhang, dhatura, incense sticks, and flowers. Recitations of Lingashtak, Bilvashtak, and Om Namah Shivaya were said to aid in improving health, attracting wealth, removing planetary obstacles, and fulfilling wishes.
Specific offerings were also suggested for devotees seeking particular blessings:
- For childbirth: Milk and dhatura flower
- For health and longevity: Akaavan flower
- For happiness: Harsingar flower
- For overcoming enemies: Ghee and mustard oil
- For an ideal spouse: Belly flower
- For salvation: Aak, flaxseed, and Sameepatra
- For prosperity: Milk and sugarcane juice
