Shrawan begins with restrictions in Bihar

PATNA: The holy month of Shrawan commenced on Monday amid restrictions for prevention of Covid-19 spread. All Shiva temples in the state remained closed. Even jalabhishek at major temples like Mahavir Mandir was not allowed. Rudrabhishek was allowed in restricted manner in a few temples.
Mahavir Mandir Trust secretary Acharya Kishore Kunal said only limited people were allowed to perform Rudrabhishek by taking all precautionary measures and maintaining social distancing norms.
Around 150 devotees offered puja at Bhoothnath Shiv Temple. Its head priest Shiv Shanker Pandey said only limited people were allowed inside the temple for Rudrabhishek from 4.30am to 7pm.
Devotees poured the Ganga jal, milk and placed the belpatra (bel leaves) and bhang on the threshold of Shiva temples in the city.
Ajay Yadav, secretary of Jaleshwar Mahadev Mandir at Kankarbagh, said some devotees visited the temple in the morning for jalabhishek but they were not allowed inside the premises. “Many poured the water on road. We asked them not to do so as it will cause inconvenience to commuters. Rudrabhishek was performed by the priest and no one else was allowed inside,” Ajay said.
Shivani Priya (39) of Boring Canal Road said it was for the first time in 12 years that she could not enter a Shiva temple on a Shrawan Monday. “I poured the Ganga jal on the temple threshold,” she said.
Several people offered prayers at the Shivalaya inside their homes. Madhurima (42) of Bahadurpur said, “The priest conducted the rituals and we prayed at home. It is risky to go out when the Covid-19 cases are increasing,” she said.
Many women and girls applied henna on this occasion, whereas the non-vegetarian food is strictly prohibited in several homes during this month.
The policemen also kept a vigil near temples to ensure no public gathering.