Bhubaneswar, July 22: A large number of devotees thronged various Shiva shrines across Odisha on the occasion of the first Monday of the holy month of 'Shravan'. Among them, the 'Bol Bom' devotees or 'kanwariyas' gathered to pour holy water on the Shiva lingas.
Administrative officials at different temples made necessary arrangements to ensure the smooth movement of devotees. According to belief, offering prayers to Lord Shiva on Shravan Monday fulfills wishes. Devotees also observed fasts to seek blessings from the deity, offering milk, bel leaves, honey, flowers, and sandalwood paste.
Typically, devotees break their fast after sunset or at night, consuming a light meal primarily consisting of sabudana and raw banana to aid digestion.
Each year during this auspicious month, devotees visit prominent temples such as the Lingaraj Temple in Bhubaneswar, the Lokanath Temple in Puri, the Dhabaleswar Temple in Athagarh, the Kapilash Temple in Dhenkanal, the Gupteswar Temple in Koraput, and the Harishankar Temple in Balangir, among others, to seek the Lord's blessings.
While Lord Shiva is worshipped on Mondays throughout the year, prayers offered on the Mondays of the Shravan month are considered especially significant and auspicious.
