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Lakhs of devotees to visit Kashi Vishwanath temple

Varanasi: Lakhs of devotees from across the country are expected to visit the famous Kashi Vishwanath temple during the ‘Shrawan’ festival.

“Over twenty lakh devotees from across the country are expected to throng the temple during the Shrawan festival which started on Saturday and will continue till August 17,” Suresh Chandra, Divisional Commissioner and chairman of Kashi Vishwanath Temple Trust said.

On the first day of the festival itself, over 50 thousand devotees offered prayers to the Jyotirlingam of Lord Shiva in the temple, he said. Foolproof multi-tier security system has been installed in and around the temple complex to avoid any untoward incidents, Chandra said.

According to Hindu mythology Lord Shiva has special love for Shrawan month. So during the month ‘abhishek’, special Lingam bathing with milk and water, is considered auspicious.

Each Monday of this month, about two lakh devotees, mostly from UP and Bihar, are expected to visit the temple, the chairman said.

This year, for the first time the devotees will be permitted to perform spiritual activities like ‘dhyan’ and ‘hawan’ in the extended premises of the temple, Nalin Awashti, CEO of the temple Trust said.

However, for security reasons devotees will not be permitted to carry water and milk in brass or other metal pots to the sanctum sanctorum for ‘abhishek’. They will have to carry earthen pots for the purpose, the CEO added. -- PTI

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