HT Correspondent
Varanasi, February 15
LAKHS OF devotees are expected to take holy dip in the Ganga and perform ‘Jalabhishekh’ of Lord Shiva at different temples in Varanasi to mark the festival of Mahashivratri on Friday.
Devotees from the different parts of India and adjoining districts of Varanasi have been arriving the holy city for the last couple of days to pay obeisance at the historic temple of Kashi Vishwanath on Mahashivratri. Inns, hotels and other accommodations, especially on the bank of the Ganga, have been booked by the pilgrims and devotees.
All prominent ghats such as Dashashwemedh ghat, Rajendra Prasad ghat, Tulsi ghat, Assi ghat, Kedar ghat etc will witness huge rush of devotees, who will then proceed to different Shiv temples to pay obeisance. Several processions of devotees will also be taken out on Friday. Naga sadhus will also take out a procession after taking holy dip in the Ganga and pay their obeisance at the ancient Kashi Vishwanath temple on Friday.
The temple, situated in the sensitive Gyanwapi complex, will witness heavy rush of devotees. Every year, devotees start queuing up outside this temple since the preceding night or wee hours of Mahashivratri day. Barricades have already been erected outside the temple to ensure smooth passage for devotees.
Another prominent temple of Lord Shiva, Markandey Mahadeo temple, situated in rural area of Varanasi in Kathi, will also witness heavy rush of devotees tomorrow.
Other temples where devotees will turn up in large numbers tomorrow include Kedareshwar Mahadeo temple at Kedar ghat, Mrityunjay Mahadeo temple, Vishwnath temple at BHU, Shool Tankeshwar temple in Tikari, Sagmeshwar Mahadeo temple etc.