Kanwariyas throng Odisha capital on first Shravan Monday

Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Bhubaneswar, Aug 3:   

Thousands of Kanwariyas today waited in long queues to offer the holy water on Lord Lingaraj of Odisha capital on first Monday of Hindu month Shravan.

Bol Bam devoteesThe ‘Bol Bam’ chanting Lord Shiva devotees started their journey in groups last night after picking up water from Mahanadi’s Gadagadia Ghat in Cuttack while some other devotees brought water all the way from Banki to offer it at the holy shrine.

The temple gates opened at about 3:30 AM in the morning after Mangal Alati and Abakash Niti rituals following which the water offering ritual started.

“I am here to offer water on the Lord as he fulfilled my wish. I have been doing it since past three years and intend to continue doing it as long as the lords allows me to,” said a lady devotee Anuja Gupta who came all the way from Jharkhand, picked up water from Mahandai and was seen waiting to offer it on Lord Lingaraj.

The temple authorities collected Rs 10 from each devotee for offering water on the lord. The Kanwariyas were seen waiting in long queues and chanting Shiva Strostras before pouring water on the lord through the brass pipe placed outside. The enormous long queue lasted from early morning till late in the day.

The temple administration left no stones unturned to ensure proper facilities are offered to the devotees and the water offering ceremony is conducted peacefully. The temple administration had organized for the camping of the Kanwariyas near Kedar Gouri temple and adjoining areas. The temple surrounding was barricaded by ASI and cleaning staff were deployed to clean out the area at regular intervals.

The city administration had placed drinking water tanks at Badhei Banka square, Lingaraj temple and near Kedar Gouri temple. Similarly, the Commissionerate Police had taken adequate steps to regulate traffic enroute and maintain law and order at the temple.

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