In a significant update, the Supreme Court has put a stay on the directive issued by the governments of Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Madhya Pradesh, which mandated eateries along the Kanwariya Yatra route to display the owners' names.
With the monsoon showers giving their cool embrace to the subcontinent, devotees across the nation officially began their Kanwar Yatra on the occasion of the first Monday of 'Sawan' today.
In view of the Sawan month that begins on Monday, a meeting was held under the chairmanship of Commissioner, Varanasi Division, Kaushal Raj Sharma, regarding all the facilities and security arrangements to be provided to the devotees visiting Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple here.
Sawan holds a special place in Hindu mythology as the month when Lord Shiva is believed to have consumed the poison that emerged from the churning of the ocean (Samudra Manthan), saving the universe from its toxic effects.
The month of Sawan is famous for the Kanwar Yatra; devotees bring Ganga Jal and offer it to Lord Shiva on the day of Shivratri. Savan Shivratri falls in the month of July or August every year.
As the monsoon blankets the Indian subcontinent in a cool embrace, millions across the country prepare for the auspicious month of Sawan, a time deeply revered by Hindus for its spiritual significance and devotion to Lord Shiva.
Ahead of the first Monday of the Sawan Shivratri festival, the Lucknow Police has made extensive security arrangements, including the use of CCTV cameras.
On the occasion of Guru Purnima, many devotees across the nation reached the temple to pay their respects and seek blessings from their spiritual teachers on Sunday.
Many devotees across the country also took a dip in holy waters and paid their respects to their gurus.
Uttar Pradesh Police on Saturday said that all preparations for the Sawan Shivratri festival have been successfully completed. They expressed confidence that the festival will be conducted smoothly.
Kanwariyas on Saturday began the 'Kanwar Yatra' from Uttarakhand's Haridwar and Uttar Pradesh's Muzaffarnagar on foot to seek the blessings of Lord Shiva, as the auspicious month of 'Sawan' will begin on July 22.