Bhubaneswar, Aug 17: Odisha’s famous Shiva shrines came alive with devotion on the third Monday of the holy month of Shravan, as thousands of Kanwariyas and devotees turned up to offer sacred water to Lord Shiva and seek blessings for the fulfilment of their wishes.
From Puri’s Lokanath Temple to Dhabaleswar in Athagarh, Gupteswar in Koraput and Bateswar in Salepur, devotees were seen carrying pots of holy water on decorated bahungi and chanting “Bol Bam” and “Har Har Bam” on their way to the temples.
Huge Rush at Puri’s Lokanath Temple
At the revered Loknath Temple in Puri, a large number of Kanwariyas from different parts of Odisha gathered from the early hours of Monday for Jalabhishek.
Temple rituals began after the doors were opened around midnight. Following Mangala Alati and other prescribed rituals, devotees were allowed to offer water to Lord Lokanath.
In view of the heavy crowd, the temple trust, servitors and police administration made special arrangements. Barricades and queue systems were put in place to regulate the movement of devotees. Ticket arrangements were also made for those offering water.
Security personnel were deployed both inside and outside the temple to prevent overcrowding and maintain discipline.
Dhabaleswar wears a festive look
At the famous Dhabaleswar shrine in Athagarh, a large gathering of Kanwariyas was witnessed on the third Monday of Shravan.
The occasion also coincided with Sankranti, with Lord Dhabaleswar appearing in the special Bada Shringar Besha.
The temple rituals began around 2 am, when the deity’s Pahada was opened. Lord Dhabaleswar was given a ritual bath with 108 pots of fragrant water, followed by Mangala Alati and other traditional rituals.
With the influx of devotees expected to remain high throughout the day, extensive police deployment and barricading arrangements were put in place.
Kanwariyas were seen placing their bahungis before the concrete bridge and carrying water pots on their shoulders to perform Jalabhishek on the sacred Shravani Linga.
Devotees undertake extraordinary vows at Gupteswar
The atmosphere was equally spiritual at Gupteswar in southern Odisha, where a huge crowd gathered for the third Monday rituals.
Long queues of Kanwariyas were seen carrying water to offer Jalabhishek to Lord Shiva. The entire shrine appeared awash with saffron as devotees travelled towards the temple chanting the name of Mahadev.
Among the devotees were several who had undertaken unusual vows to fulfil personal wishes. Some were seen moving towards the temple by repeatedly performing danda pranam along the road.
One devotee said he had undertaken the vow seeking Lord Shiva’s blessings to keep his parents happy after taking responsibility for his family. Another said he had been involved in a court case for several years and had undertaken the ritual hoping for the case to be resolved.
Around five devotees from Hadiya village near Jeypore were also reportedly seen undertaking the same form of devotional journey.
Bateswar sees families, women & children join the pilgrimage
At Bateswar in Salepur, the sacred Chitrotpala River at Guptaganga Ghat witnessed a steady stream of devotees.
Men, women and children gathered at the river to collect water in pots before beginning their journey to the Shiva shrine.
The pots were decorated and carried on bahungis. Devotees walked around the Shiva shrine, chanted the name of Lord Shiva and continued their pilgrimage while raising “Bol Bam” slogans.
Why do Kanwariyas offer water in Shravan?
The month of Shravan holds special significance for devotees of Lord Shiva. Many believe that offering sacred water to the Shiva Linga during this month brings divine blessings and fulfilment of wishes.
Devotees traditionally collect water from rivers and other sacred water sources, carry it over long distances and offer it at Shiva temples as an act of devotion, discipline and prayer.
The third Monday of Shravan is therefore marked by intense religious fervour across Odisha, with temples witnessing large crowds and Kanwariya processions.
A state immersed in Shiva Bhakti
From coastal Puri and Cuttack to the forested shrine of Gupteswar in southern Odisha, the third Monday of Shravan transformed major Shaivite centres into vibrant spiritual hubs.
With saffron-clad Kanwariyas, decorated bahungis, temple bells and chants of “Bol Bam”, Odisha witnessed another day of deep devotion to Mahadev.
