Gorakhpur (Uttar Pradesh) [India], July 11 : Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Friday performed holy rituals on the first day of the holy month of 'Sawan', at the Gorakhnath Temple.

The Chief Minister also performed 'Rudrabhishek' and 'Havan' at the temple to mark this occasion.

Chief Minister Adityanath is also the mahant (head priest) of the Gorakhnath Math.
Meanwhile, devotees queued up in large numbers outside the Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi to offer prayers and mark this occasion.

Devotees arrived in significant numbers at Jharkhandi Mahadev Shiv Mandir in Gorakhpur to offer prayers on the first day of the holy month of 'Sawan'.

A flock of devotees were also spotted at the Nageshwar Nath Mandir and Kshireshwarnath Mahadev Temple in Ayodhya on the first day of 'Sawan'.

In Kanpur, devotees gathered in large numbers to offer prayers at Anandeshwar Mahadev Mandir on this occasion.
Rajasthan Deputy Chief Minister Diya Kumari also performed rituals and offered prayers at Raj Rajeshwar Mandir at Jaipur City Palace, on the first day of the holy month of Sawan.

In the national capital, visuals showed from the Prachin Shri Bhairav Mandir in Kalkaji where devotees were seen performing rituals on this occasion.

Devotees offered prayers at Daksheswar Mahadev Temple in Haridwar, on the first day of the holy month Sawan.
Devotees also flocked to the Ujjain's Mahakaleshwar temple to offer prayers on the first day of the 'Sawan' month' early Friday.
To mark the occasion,' Rudrabhishek' was performed at the temple. The visuals show milk, curd, and honey are being offered to Lord Shiva during the 'rudrabhishek', followed by the Vedic chants by the priests.
The devotees were seen queueing up to worship Lord Shiva on the first day of the holy month of 'Sawan'.
This year, Sawan month commences from July 11 and will conclude on August 9.
'Sawan' is the fifth month of the Hindu lunar calendar, and is considered as one of the holiest months. Every Monday during this period is regarded as a highly auspicious time to fast and seek the blessings of Lord Shiva. All Tuesdays or Mangalwar in Shravan month are dedicated to Goddess Parvati, the consort of Lord Shiva.
Sawan holds a special place in Hindu mythology as the month when Lord Shiva is believed to have consumed the poison that emerged from the churning of the ocean (Samudra Manthan), saving the universe from its toxic effects.
Devotees undertake fasts and offer prayers to seek the blessings of Lord Shiva during this period.
Many choose to abstain from consuming grains and eat only fruits, milk, and specific foods permissible during fasting.
The chanting of Shiva mantras, singing bhajans (devotional songs), and performing Rudrabhishek (ceremonial bathing of Shiva Lingam with holy substances) are common practices observed with fervour across households and temples during Sawan month.