Ranchi: The final Monday of Shravan turned Ranchi into a hub of devotion as thousands of worshippers thronged Shiva temples from the early hours. Rain since midnight failed to dampen their spirits, with chants of “Bol Bam” and “Har Har Mahadev” reverberating across the city.Long queues stretched beyond the gates of Pahari Mandir, Sureshwar Dham in Chutia, Shiv Shakti Dham in Chiroundi, Jagdamba Shiv Sankat Mochan Temple in Kuchu and Jagannath Temple in Dhurwa.The religious fervour was not confined to the city’s major shrines. Smaller Shiva temples in the neighbourhoods and lanes of Harmu, Ashok Nagar, Bariatu, Doranda, Lalpur and Argora also witnessed a steady stream of worshippers offering milk, bael leaves and holy water throughout the day.At Pahari Mandir, devotees followed one of the city’s most revered Shravan traditions. Pilgrims collected water from Subarnarekha river in Namkum and climbed hundreds of steps to offer it to Lord Shiva. Many walked barefoot, while others travelled in groups singing devotional songs.“We started from Namkum before dawn. The rain made the journey difficult, but it also felt like Lord Shiva’s blessing. When we finally offered the water at Pahari Mandir, all our fatigue disappeared,” said Aman Mahato, 24, a pilgrim from Ormanjhi.The celebrations gave the city a festive look. Roads leading to the temples were lined with stalls selling flowers, rudraksha beads, sweets and puja items. Families arrived together, while groups of youngsters distributed drinking water and helped regulate queues.“I have been visiting Sureshwar Dham during Shravan for years, but this year’s crowd was among the largest. Even after standing in the queue for nearly two hours, no one seemed impatient,” said Rekha Devi, a resident of Hinoo.
