Crowd of Devotees in Lord Shiva's Gokarneshwor temple (Photo Feature)

Saroj Basnet

Kathmandu: The month of Shrawan and Monday stands for the delightful month and day of Lord Shiva as per Hindu Theology. Hindu devotees worship Lord Shiva offering Belpatra, Panchamrit, Jal, etc on this day.

According to Hindu scriptures, one will be blessed with prosperity on worshipping Lord Shiva in Shrawan and Monday. It is believed that Goddesses Parbati had fasted in Shrawan to get Lord Shiva as her husband. As a result of which, Hindu women give more priority to this month.

Mainly three types of fasts, Shrawan Sombar (Monday), Sohra Sombar (16 Mondays), and Som Pradosh, are treated as auspicious in the Hindu religion. There is a religious belief that one will receive more abundance, than the other days, if one performs holy activities like fasting on the Monday of Shrawan, worshiping, and donating.

Crowds of devotees visit the temples of Lord Shiva in large numbers during the month of Shrawan. Even the Bolbam pilgrims offer Jal to Lord Shiva. This year devotees started taking fast from the Last Monday of Asar month due to Adhik Maas, as per the lunar calendar.

According to Hindu belief, people wishing to fast, following all the rituals, need to fast on all 8 Mondays. This year the fast will last till the preceding Monday before Janai Purnima.

(Glimpses of Gokarneshwor Temple, Kathmandu)