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Time of India
4 days ago
- General
- Time of India
Flower prices no deterrent to Shrawan devout
Prayagraj: Ahead of Shrawan month, in which devotees flock to temples of Lord Shiva to offer prayers, prices of flowers have gone up. In the wholesale flower market at Naini, roses, which cost around Rs 300-400 per basket, are now selling for Rs 600-700 a basket. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Prices of harsingar, white snake saffron flower, lotus and dried lotus stalks, kaner, kusum, kush, ball flowers, conch, bela, jasmine, shephalika and Agastya flowers as also of leaves of bel (wood apple) and dhatura have gone up too. Traders in flower markets at Naini, Ram Bagh, Rajapur, Civil Lines and Chowk said prices of flowers had gone up due to various reasons, including monsoon and limited supply. They claimed that demand for all varieties of flowers had gone up manifold in Shrawan. Overall, price of flowers has increased by 30 to 40 %. Religious scholar Dr Amitabh Gour said, "Shravan is one of the holiest and most revered months among devotees to offer special prayers to Lord Shiva during the entire month, which begins from Pratipada Tithi of Krishna Paksha in the month of Ashadha. Rahul, who came to buy flowers from the city's wholesale flower market, said prices have risen significantly, with even roses being sold at high prices. "But despite the high prices this year, devotees will buy what all is necessary for rituals," he said.
Time of India
06-07-2025
- Time of India
Markets turn into vibrant hubs of devotion ahead of Kanwar Yatra
1 2 3 4 Prayagraj: As kanwariyas gear up to embark on their revered journey, the city's markets are abuzz with an air of devotion and anticipation. With the annual pilgrimage slated to commence on July 11, vendors and artisans are busy showcasing an array of Kanwar Yatra-related essentials, catering to the hundreds of devotees of Lord Shiva, affectionately known as kanwariyas. As the Kanwar Yatra approaches, the markets are transforming into vibrant hubs of devotion and commerce. Shops and stalls are sprouting up, offering a kaleidoscope of saffron-coloured clothing, flags, t-shirts, and other accessories that cater to hundreds of kanwariyas. For around 500 families in the Sangam City, who have been selling Kanwar Yatra-related items for four to five decades, the month of Shrawan is a time of opulence and prosperity. These families have stocked up sufficiently, anticipating a lucrative season. The majority of them expect to earn a profit of Rs 40,000 to Rs 50,000 by selling kanwars, utensils, garlands, bells, and special kanwar dresses. With Shravan beginning on July 11, the Ganga ghats and Sangam are set to welcome millions of kanwariyas, who will gather holy water to offer to Lord Shiva. These devotees will soon embark on a barefoot journey to revered sites such as Kashi Vishwanath and other prominent Lord Shiva temples, including Padila Mahadev, to offer the sacred 'Jalabhishek' ritual. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Is your tinnitus getting worse? Do this immediately (Watch) Hearing Magazine Undo Before doing so, they will gather holy water from Sangam and the river Ganga at Dashaswamedh and Daraganj ghats, an act steeped in tradition and spiritual significance. As the city gears up to welcome these devotees, the atmosphere is filled with an aura of spirituality and festivity. Amitabh Gour, a religious scholar, highlights the significance of the Kanwar Yatra, a revered Hindu pilgrimage. He notes that millions of devotees, or kanwariyas, undertake a sacred journey to collect holy water from Sangam and other Ganga ghats, which is then offered at Shiva temples as an act of devotion. According to Gour, the spiritual attire of Kanwariyas also plays an important role in this journey, underscoring the cultural and spiritual significance of the pilgrimage. Devotees collect holy water from the Ganga ghat and offer Jalabhishek at various local Lord Shiva temples, including Someshwar Mahadev, Gopeshwar Nath Mahadev, Panchmukhi Mahadev, Takshak Teerth, Pandeyshwar Nath Dham, Mankameshwar Mahadev, Bhayaharannath Dham, Mukundeshwar Nath, Koteshwar Mahadev and Shiv Kutchery. These temples hold significant spiritual importance for the devotees, who offer prayers and perform rituals as part of the Kanwar Yatra. Rajesh, a vendor selling Kanwar materials, expresses optimism about business prospects this year, citing the state government's efforts to make adequate arrangements for the Kanwar Yatra and kanwariyas. He expects around 50,000 to 1 lakh Kanwariyas to arrive at Daraganj and other ghats to collect holy water. Anuradha, another vendor, shares insights into tradition, saying that devotees of Lord Shiva typically purchase kanwars and decorative items to adorn them before embarking on their journey to Varanasi to offer Jalabhishek to Lord Shiva during the Shrawan month.
Time of India
10-06-2025
- General
- Time of India
Devotees throng Lord Hanuman temples in Sangam city on last Bada Mangal
Prayagraj: On the occasion of fifth and last Bada Mandal, thousands of devotees on Tuesday offered special prayers to Lord Hanuman at city-based Lord Hanuman temples, including the Sangam-situated Lete Hanuman Temple and Rajapur Hanuman Temple, seeking deity's blessings. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Locals also took a holy dip in the Sangam and organised Bhandara on this pious day. Devotees started flocking to city-based Lord Hanuman temples, particularly the Sangam-located Lord Hanuman Temple, also known as Lete Hanuman Temple, Rajapur Hanuman Temple, and Civil Lines Hanuman Temple, early on Tuesday, and the flow of devotees continued until late evening. The idol of Lord Hanuman was decorated with flowers on the occasion. Noted religious scholar Dr Amitabh Gour told TOI that Bada Mangal, or Budhwa Mangal, are the five most powerful Tuesdays that fall in the Hindu month of Jyeshtha. He added, "June 10 was the fifth and last Bada Mangal (Tuesday). All these five Tuesdays are extremely auspicious, strong, positive, and have energy that devotees of Lord Hanuman can harness." On the last Bada Mangal, the strength of devotees increased at temples, and they were spotted chanting Hanuman Chalisa and Sundarkand path. Some of them organised Bhandara (community feast) and engaged in donation and charity. Priests also claimed that Bada Mandal day was considered auspicious for worshipping Lord Hanuman, who is believed to bring peace, joy, and prosperity. On the occasion of Purnima on Tuesday itself, scores of devotees first took a holy dip in the Sangam and performed puja at Lord Hanuman temples. Meanwhile, cops maintained strict surveillance at all prominent city temples and regulated the flow of the crowd.
Time of India
05-06-2025
- General
- Time of India
Devotees throng Sangam for Ganga Dussehra snan
1 2 3 4 5 6 Prayagraj: Amid elaborate security arrangements, thousands of devotees and pilgrims on Thursday took holy dip in Sangam and other ghats on the occasion of Ganga Dussehra, one of the most significant Hindu festivals. Devotees from city, neighbouring districts and adjoining states, including MP, Bihar, Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh, arrived at Ganga ghats to earn punya and perform rituals. Noted religious scholar Dr Amitabh Gour told TOI, "Ganga Dussehra marks the sacred occasion when Goddess Ganga descended on earth." He added, "The day also holds immense religious and spiritual importance among devotees who reach the river Ganga ghats to take a holy dip and perform rituals. This day is regarded as a propitious occasion to pay tribute to Goddess Ganga." As per Hindu scriptures, it is believed that on Dashami Tithi of Shukla Paksha in the Jyeshtha month, Goddess Ganga descended to earth. Witnessing crowd of devotees and pilgrims flocking Sangam and other Ganga ghats, police took help of drones to maintain strict surveillance. Drones also helped police manage traffic. They were assigned duties at all static points and traffic near the Sangam was diverted to prevent jam-like situations. A devotee from Gwalior, Usha, said, "It's a pious moment to take a holy dip in Sangam and earn the blessings of Ganga." Devotees of all age groups, men and women, arrived at Ganga ghats in groups. Sasaram resident Pushkar Tiwari said, "We covered a long distance with the intention to take holy dip." Personnel of 42nd battalion of PAC saved a Madhya Pradesh woman from drowning near Hanuman Ghat.
