Times News Network
Kanpur: The confluence of the third Monday of Shrawan and Nag Panchami on this day, drew a large number of Hindu devotees to Shiva temples across the city, with particularly heavy crowds at the four prominent shrines–Anandeshwar, Jageshwar, Siddhanath and Van Khandeshwar temples.At the Anandeshwar Temple, devotees began assembling around midnight and by 2 am, a long queue was formed outside the temple gates. The temple management opened the shrine for devotees after performing the Mangala Aarti.Several Kanwariyas were also among the devotees who reached the temple to offer prayers. After waiting for their turn, they performed Jalabhishek of the Shiva lingam and chanted “Bam Bam Bhole”. Mayor Pramila Pandey, MP Devendra Singh Bhole and other dignitaries also visited Anandeshwar Temple and offered prayers.Similar scenes were witnessed at Jageshwar and Siddhanath temples, where devotees queued up to offer prayers and perform Jalabhishek. Those unable to reach the prominent shrines visited Shiva temples in their respective localities to perform rituals.With Nag Panchami also falling on Monday as per the Hindu calendar, a large number of devotees reached the Ganga early in the morning and took a holy dip in the river before offering water to Shiva lingams and performing prayers at temples.The festival also saw snake charmers reaching several Shiva temples with snakes. They displayed the reptiles before devotees, who offered prayers to them, with some also offering milk as part of the traditional Nag Panchami observance.Many devotees also drew pictures of snakes on paper and offered prayers to them.
