Shiva chants, devotees’ rush on first Shrawan ‘Somvar’

Lucknow: Chanting ‘Har Har Mahadev’ and ‘Om Namah Shivay’ and singing ‘bhajans’ of Lord Shiva, devotees made a beeline at Shiva temples in the city on the first Monday of the auspicious month of Shrawan.Amongst many devotees at Mankameshwar temple was a group of friends, comprising Uma, Madhuri, Sarita and Rekha. “We try to visit the temple at least once in the holy month of Shrawan,” said Madhuri. Some devotees said that they visit the temple during lunch breaks. Amresh Mishra (35) was one such individual. “I try visiting a Shiva temple every day after my office, but on auspicious occasions I try to come early to worship the deity,” said Mishra.There were also students like Aman Mishra (23), a resident of Lakhimpur, who visited the city to appear in an examination. “My aunt and sister Apoorva asked me to accompany them to the Shiva Temple. We offered prayers to the Lord Shiva and clicked selfies there," said Mishra. Divya Bajpai and her sister Saumya brought their niece Madhvi along with them. “I told my niece about the legend associated with Shrawan,” said Bajpai. A yatra was also organized from Para to Mahakaal Mandir to mark the occasion.