Kashi turns saffron as devotees throng KVT, other Shiv temples on 3rd Shrawan Somvar
2
3
4
5
6
Varanasi: Roads leading to Kashi Vishwanath Dham turned saffron with a massive turnout of kanwariyas who have arrived in the city to offer jalabhishek to Lord Shiv on the third Monday of the Shrawan month.
A huge congregation of kanwariyas and pilgrims started reaching the city from Sunday, and by night they had occupied the entire area barricaded for the devotees. The sanctum sanctorum doors of the Kashi Vishwanath temple were opened after the Mangala Aarti in the early hours. The devotees queued up for offering prayers at the temple from Maidagin and Godowlia sides and were welcomed with shower of flowers by district magistrate Satyendra Kumar, the temple's chief executive officer Vishwa Bhushan Mishra, and other officials.
The massive influx of the devotees continued at the temple till late afternoon. In the evening there was a slight ease in the crowd and pilgrims did not had to wait very long to offer jalabhishek. They even had the opportunity to witness the Ardhanarishwar Shringar of the deity in the evening.
Additional Commissioner of Police (law and order) Shivhari Meena led the officials and forces deployed for crowd management and security arrangements.
He inspected areas including Maidagin, Godowlia, Ramapura, Dashashwamedh Ghat, Bulanala, Chowk, Dashashwamedh, and Gate-4 of Kashi Vishwanath Dham to ensure smooth and safe visits and traffic for the pilgrims and kanwariyas.
Despite the availability of less space for bathing due to floodwaters, the ghats remained crowded with kanwariyas and other devotees in a large numbers. Extra vigilance was maintained by police and NDRF personnel at the ghats along the river Ganga.
The entire temple complex and the ghats were monitored through a CCTV network and drones. Maintaining their years-old tradition, the traders associated with the Vishwanath Gali traders union took out a procession to Kashi Vishwanath temple to offer jalabhishek.
The procession, which started from Chittaranjan Park near Dashashwamedh Ghat, was also joined by many dignitaries including Varanasi City South MLA Neelkanth Tiwari.
The procession moved amidst the beats of damrus and sound of conch shells. At the beginning of the procession, 11 Vedic priests worshipped the pots filled with water from 84 ghats of Kashi and the same water was offered to Lord Vishwanath.
Devotees from Varanasi and neighbouring districts also thronged Markandeya Mahadev temple on the Ganga-Gomati confluence in Kaithi areas in large numbers to offer Jalabhishek. Temples like Mrityunjaya Mahadev, Kriti Visheshwar, Onkaleshwar, Tilbhandeshwar, Kedareshwar, Vishwanatha temple of BHU, and Sarangnath also remained heavily crowded with local devotees.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
2 days ago
- Time of India
Noida and Ghaziabad to hear sirens as NCR gets ready for emergency response drill
Noida: Emergency sirens will be activated at 10 locations across Noida and Ghaziabad on Friday as part of a nationwide Suraksha Chakra disaster preparedness exercise. The drill will simulate earthquake and chemical hazard scenarios, with NDMA and NDRF officials evaluating district response capabilities and coordination. Sirens had gone earlier gone off in parts of Ghaziabad and other districts on May 7, a day before Operation Sindoor, as a part of a nationwide mock drill led by NDMA. In Ghaziabad emergency sirens were sounded near the Collectorate and other identified zones, prompting coordinated responses from civil defence units, police, and medical teams. Drills were also held in Noida as a district-level initiative. The drill simulated an air attack scenario, with mock evacuations, triage of 'victims', and rapid deployment of response teams. The upcoming exercise, which will begin at 9am, will be conducted simultaneously across 18 NCR districts. You Can Also Check: Noida AQI | Weather in Noida | Bank Holidays in Noida | Public Holidays in Noida Noida will conduct its drill at the Govt Institute of Medical Sciences (GIMS) in Greater Noida, Savitri Bai Phule Girls Inter College in Dadri, Vikas Bhawan, LG Electronics India Ltd, and AWHO Township in Gurjinder Vihar. ADM (finance/revenue) Atul Kumar said, "Departments have been directed to be on-site before the drill begins and ensure that all arrangements are in place—from route maps and ambulances to communication systems and rescue tools." District magistrate Medha Roopam also reviewed preparations on Thursday and emphasised that the mock drill is not just a formality but a real-time test of inter-departmental coordination and on-ground readiness. In GB Nagar, the District Emergency Operation Centre (DEOC) at the Collectorate has been designated as the main communication hub. The DM's office will act as the command post. Sharda Hospital will serve as the medical camp, and Malakpur Sports Stadium has been marked as the relief camp. The drill will involve multiple agencies, including police, fire services, civil defence, health teams, municipal staff, and disaster volunteers. Five incident commanders have been deployed to lead operations at each location. In Ghaziabad, the five identified sites are Ingraham Inter College, VVIP Addresses Society in Rajnagar Extension, Hindustan Petroleum Corporation's Loni plant, District Joint Hospital in Sanjay Nagar, and Modinagar Tehsil Bhawan. "This is a community effort," said Saurabh Bhatt, ADM (finance/revenue), Ghaziabad. "Residents, hospital staff, and govt employees posted at the identified buildings will be part of the drill. The idea is to involve the people who would actually be at risk during a real emergency. The exercise will include evacuation, first aid response, coordination with emergency teams, and more." Bhatt added that the warning sirens will be triggered manually using portable public announcement systems. "PA equipment will be taken to each location to simulate the alert mechanism. The drill needs to feel real, especially for first responders and residents. We'll be judged on how well we coordinate and respond under pressure," he said. In Ghaziabad, the District Disaster Management Authority and the Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) at the Collectorate have been designated as the main control room for the mock drill. The Police Line Ground will serve as the staging area.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Time of India
Gifts to give your sister as per her zodiac sign for Raksha Bandhan in 2025
In 2025, Mangal (Mars) governs the celestial tide, intensifying themes of protection, devotion, and purposeful action—qualities deeply embedded in the sacred bond of Raksha Bandhan. In Vedic astrology, Mars represents the Kshatriya spirit—the one who shields, initiates, and stands in strength. This makes 2025 an especially powerful time for siblings to deepen their karmic connection. Choosing a gift based on your sister's zodiac sign can align the gesture with her planetary ruler, tattva (element), and inner dharma. Here's a thoughtfully curated guide. Aries (Mesha) – Ruled by Mars (Mangal) Gift: Red Jasper bracelet or energizing yantra Why: Mars gives Aries boldness but also restlessness. Red Jasper and sacred yantras help channel her vitality into purpose and discipline—very aligned in this Mangal year. Taurus (Vrishabha) – Ruled by Venus (Shukra) Gift: Luxurious silk shawl or rose-scented attar Why: Venus governs aesthetics, comfort, and refinement. Such gifts nurture her connection to Shukra tattva (earthy sensuality) and boost inner harmony. Gemini (Mithuna) – Ruled by Mercury (Budh) Gift: Handmade journal with sacred geometry or Tulsi mala Why: Mercury rules intellect and expression. Gifts that support her vāk shakti (speech power) and promote sattvic thought uplift her Budh-aligned mind. Cancer (Karka) – Ruled by Moon (Chandra) Gift: Pearl ring or silver photo frame Why: The Moon governs emotions and memory. Pearls stabilize the emotional body, and silver is a lunar metal that enhances her intuitive and nurturing nature. Leo (Simha) – Ruled by Sun (Surya) Gift: Gold-plated pendant or sun-engraved mirror Why: Surya is the atmakaraka (soul indicator) for Leos. Gold enhances her inner radiance and confidence, while solar symbols deepen her connection to dharma and self-worth. Virgo (Kanya) – Ruled by Mercury (Budh) Gift: Eco-stationery set or Rudraksha bracelet Why: Virgos value practicality and purity. Gifts that support organized thinking and spiritual grounding balance their Budhic energy. Libra (Tula) – Ruled by Venus (Shukra) Gift: Crystal diffuser or artwork with sacred balance symbols Why: Librans thrive on harmony. Gifts that calm Shukra's aesthetic sensitivity help restore inner balance in this active Mars year. Scorpio (Vrischika) – Ruled by Mars (Mangal) & Ketu (co-lord) Gift: Obsidian crystal or guided shadow-work journal Why: Scorpios experience Mars on a deeper, more transformative octave. Obsidian protects psychic energy; reflective tools help them harness hidden power. Sagittarius (Dhanu) – Ruled by Jupiter (Guru) Gift: Vedic philosophy book or copper kalash Why: Jupiter seeks wisdom. Gifts tied to spiritual expansion or rituals awaken their dharmic path, especially in a year focused on sacred protection. Capricorn (Makara) – Ruled by Saturn (Shani) Gift: Antique timepiece or Shani yantra Why: Shani values structure and legacy. Gifts at connect to timelessness or discipline honor their karmic journey and resilience. Aquarius (Kumbha) – Ruled by Saturn (Shani) & Rahu (co-lord) Gift: Singing bowl or futuristic tech with spiritual use Why: This air sign is both wise and progressive. Healing sound tools or conscious tech help merge Saturn's depth with Rahu's innovation. Pisces (Meena) – Ruled by Jupiter (Guru) Gift: Handmade mala or dream journal Why: Pisceans are spiritually inclined. Jupiter here brings empathy and expansion. A mala aids in japa sadhana, while a journal helps them anchor dream-like visions. This article is written by Prashant Kapoor, Celebrity Astrologer, Founder, AstroKapoor. Discover everything about astrology at Times of India , including daily horoscopes for Aries , Taurus , Gemini , Cancer , Leo , Virgo , Libra , Scorpio , Sagittarius , Capricorn , Aquarius , and Pisces . Read your detailed Horoscope Today and Horoscope Tomorrow here.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Time of India
Begin podi process for farmers' land after monsoon: Revenue min
Udupi: Revenue minister Krishna Byre Gowda directed the officials to begin the podi process for land allotted to farmers immediately after the monsoon and ensure that the work is completed for at least 10,000 beneficiaries. He chaired a progress review meeting of the revenue department at the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Auditorium on Wednesday. The minister expressed dissatisfaction that land approved for farmers over the past 20 to 50 years was not adequately documented as podi in revenue records. He instructed district officials to convene meetings with village accountants, revenue inspectors, and tahsildars to accelerate the podi process. Byre Gowda said the digitisation of land records under the "Pauti Khata" system already began across the state, including Udupi district, but the progress is slow. The district needs to digitise records for 2.9 lakh land parcels. He pointed out that land listed under the names of deceased individuals disqualifies farmers from accessing govt schemes and subsidies. The process must be prioritised, and district officials must ensure steady progress. On the issue of lightning-related deaths, the minister noted that over 70 people die annually in Karnataka due to lightning strikes. A lack of awareness about safe shelter during storms contributes to these deaths. He urged authorities to educate the public and activate panchayat-level task force committees during the monsoon, stressing the need for consistent year-on-year efforts. In cases where houses are completely damaged due to heavy rain, the minister said relief funds should be released and houses sanctioned under the Devaraj Urs Housing scheme. Revenue officials have the authority to approve and implement such decisions. He also addressed the issue of damaged roads and stressed the importance of pothole repair for public convenience. While minor repair works do not attract large grants, officials were instructed to submit proposals under NDRF guidelines to receive necessary approvals. The minister expressed disappointment that out of 687 eligible beneficiaries under the Bagar Hukum scheme, only nine received land title deeds. He instructed officials to ensure all eligible individuals receive title deeds by Aug 15. Under the Bhoosuraksha project, the computerisation of revenue records is lagging in Udupi compared to neighbouring districts. Officials were urged to expedite the work and not make unnecessary excuses for delays. The minister noted that most village accountants already received laptops and should now perform all tasks through the e-office system.
