Bhubaneswar, Aug 12: On the fourth Monday of the holy month of Shravan (Sawan), devotees and Kanwariyas flocked in large numbers to prominent Shiva shrines across Odisha to pay their obeisance to Lord Shiva. The atmosphere at these temples was filled with devotion and fervor as worshippers began arriving at dawn to offer milk, water, and ‘bel’ leaves to the deity.
Each year, during this sacred month, devotees make beelines to several significant temples to seek the blessings of Lord Shiva. These include the Lingaraj Temple in Bhubaneswar, Lokanath Temple in Puri, Dhabaleswar Temple in Athagarh, Kapilash Temple in Dhenkanal, Gupteswar Temple in Koraput, and Harishankar Temple in Balangir, among others.
During Shravan, Kanwariyas, dressed in saffron, collect holy water from rivers, create Shivalingas on riverbeds, and then embark on a long journey to various Shiva temples. They carry the water in clay, brass, or copper containers attached with a bamboo stick, which is adorned with decorations believed to please Lord Shiva. Their goal is to reach their chosen Shiva temple early on Monday morning and pour the sacred water on the Shivalingas.
Key temples receiving significant attention include:
Lingaraj Temple, Bhubaneswar: This ancient and revered Shiva temple in Bhubaneswar is dedicated to Lord Lingaraj, a form of Lord Shiva. It attracts a large number of devotees year-round, with Shravan being a particularly auspicious time for worship.
Kapilash Temple, Dhenkanal: Situated atop Kapilash Hill in Dhenkanal district, this historic temple is dedicated to Lord Chandrasekhar, another form of Lord Shiva. Devotees often undertake pilgrimages to this site during Shravan to seek blessings.
Akhandalamani Temple, Aradi: Located in Bhadrak district, the Akhandalamani Temple is dedicated to Lord Akhandalamani, a revered form of Lord Shiva. The temple is known for its self-manifested Shivalinga and holds special significance for devotees during the Shravan month.
