Huge crowds at Shiva temples on first Monday of Shravan

Lucknow, July 25 (IANS) Shiva devotees in huge numbers thronged temples across the state on the first Monday of the holy Shravan month amid tight security. Shiva temples in Gorakhpur, Kanpur, Lucknow and Agra saw thousands of devotees line up to offer prayers to the deity.

Massive crowds were witnessed at the Kashi Vishwanath temple in Varanasi, which is one of the 12 holy seats of Lord Shiva -- one of the 12 jyotirlingas. Serpentine queues were seen of 'kanwariyas' who had lined up since early morning to offer 'ganga jal' at the Shivaling.

Crowds also made a beeline to the Mankameshwar temple in the state capital. A home department official told IANS that adequate security arrangements had been made at various temples and that no untoward incident has been reported on the routes.