KATHMANDU: Devotees across Nepal flocked to Shiva temples on Monday to observe the first Monday of Shrawan, a month regarded as especially sacred to Lord Shiva in the Hindu calendar.
Large crowds gathered from early morning at the Pashupatinath Temple and other Shiva shrines across the country to offer prayers and observe the traditional Shrawan Monday fast.
The four gates of Pashupatinath Temple were opened to devotees at 3:30 am. Temple authorities arranged four separate queues for visitors and said that, despite the steady flow of worshippers since dawn, queues remained manageable. Essential services, including first aid, were also made available for pilgrims.
Shrawan is considered the month of Lord Shiva, while Monday is regarded as the deity’s most auspicious day. Many devotees observe fasts and perform special prayers dedicated to Shiva throughout the month.
Besides Pashupatinath, devotees also gathered at Shiva temples including Gokarneshwor Temple, Doleshwor Mahadev Temple, and Makhan Mahadev Temple, as well as numerous shrines nationwide.
Traditionally, devotees who observe the fast on every Monday of Shrawan conclude the ritual on the final Monday by offering gifts, including symbolic cow donations and other charitable offerings.
Hindu scriptures describe three principal Monday fasts: the Shrawan Monday fast, the Sixteen Mondays (Solah Somvar) fast, and the Som Pradosh fast. The Shrawan Monday fast begins at sunrise and continues until the third quarter of the day, when devotees perform Shiva worship, listen to religious recitals and later break the fast with a single vegetarian meal in the evening.
According to Hindu belief, observing the fast with devotion is believed to bring blessings and help overcome difficulties.
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