Bhubaneswar: The Second Shravan Monday brought a strong devotional atmosphere to Shiva temples across Odisha on August 10, with devotees turning up early in the morning to offer prayers and seek the blessings of Lord Shiva.
Among the prominent shrines witnessing a major gathering was the Lingaraj Temple in Bhubaneswar, where long queues of devotees were seen from the early hours. Kanwariyas carrying sacred water also arrived at the temple to perform their religious offering to Lord Mahadev.
The second Monday of Shravan is considered an important day for Shiva devotees. In the 2026 Shravan calendar, August 10 falls on the second Shravan Somwar.
Lingaraj Temple Sees Early-Morning Rush
The historic Lingaraj Temple in Bhubaneswar witnessed a steady flow of devotees on Monday. According to a report from the temple area, long queues had formed outside the shrine from the early hours of the day.
Many Kanwariyas arrived carrying kanwars filled with sacred water. Some devotees walked barefoot over long distances before reaching the temple to complete their offering to Baba Lingaraj.
The temple premises echoed with devotional chants as devotees waited for darshan and participated in prayers. The gathering gave the Ekamra Kshetra a distinctly festive and spiritual atmosphere on the auspicious Monday.
Kanwariyas Gather to Offer Holy Water
For Kanwariyas, carrying sacred water and offering it to Lord Shiva is an important part of their Shravan observance. Devotees arriving at Lingaraj Temple were seen carrying water-filled kanwars as they made their way towards the shrine.
The devotion was visible from the early hours, with devotees continuing to arrive despite the physical effort involved in walking long distances. Many remained focused on completing their vows and offering the holy water at the temple.
The rush at Lingaraj Temple also reflected the wider religious observance across Odisha, where Shiva temples traditionally attract large numbers of devotees during Shravan Mondays.
Shravan Devotion Across Odisha
The religious significance of Shravan draws devotees to Shiva temples throughout the state. Mondays during the month are particularly associated with worship of Lord Shiva, with devotees observing prayers, fasting and water offerings according to their traditions.
The 2026 Shravan calendar lists August 3 as the first Shravan Monday and August 10 as the Second Shravan Monday, followed by August 17 and August 24 as the third and fourth Mondays respectively.
In Bhubaneswar, the large gathering at Lingaraj Temple has once again highlighted the importance of the shrine during the Shravan period. The temple and surrounding Ekamra Kshetra remained filled with devotees and Kanwariyas on Monday morning.
As devotees continue their Shravan observances, the Second Shravan Monday has brought a strong wave of religious activity to Lingaraj Temple and Shiva shrines across Odisha.
