Varanasi: Maintaining their tradition of offering ‘Jalabhishek’ to Lord Kashi Vishwanath and other prominent temples on the first Monday of Shrawan, members of the Yadav community performed the rituals for the 96th consecutive year. Other Yadav groups, under different banners, also reached Shiv temples to continue the long-standing tradition.Led by Chandrabanshi Gope Sewa Samiti president Lalji Yadav Chandravanshi, hundreds of community members collected Gangajal in urns at Kedar Ghat and first offered ‘Jalabhishek’ at Gauri Kedareshwar Temple amid the beats of nagadas and damrus. Members of the Shree Krishna Yadav Mahasabha and other organisations joined the barefoot procession, which moved to the rhythm of damrus towards Kashi Vishwanath Temple and other shrines. Jubilant participants were seen dancing to the beats of nagadas after offering ‘Jalabhishek’ at the temples.After worshipping Lord Vishwanath, the devotees continued to Tilbhandeshwar, Sheetla, Alhadeshwar, Mahamrityunjay, Trilochan Mahadev, Omkareshwar Mahadev and Laat Bhairo temples to perform Jalabhishek. The procession, which began in 1932, is also welcomed by members of the Muslim community at places such as Madanpura and Koyala Bazaar, reflecting the city’s communal harmony.The Shree Krishna Yadav Mahasabha separately organised its ‘Jalabhishek’ for the 10th consecutive year. Devotees gathered near Luxa police station and proceeded under the leadership of Mahasabha president Jagdish Yadav. He said the ritual was performed with faith for world peace, national prosperity, social harmony and public welfare.Rajesh Yadav, BJP state vice-president; former Haryana deputy speaker Santosh Yadav; Kashi region president Ashok Chaurasia; Ganpati Yadav; and several office-bearers, workers and devotees participated in the ceremony.
