Muzaffarpur’s famous Baba Garibnath Temple witnessed a large gathering of devotees on the Monday of Sawan, with pilgrims arriving from midnight for the Jalabhishek of Lord Shiva. The flow of devotees began at 12 midnight and increased steadily by morning, with the temple premises and surrounding areas filled with worshippers carrying Gangajal and other puja materials.
Sawan Monday holds special religious significance at Baba Garibnath Temple, attracting devotees from distant areas. Many pilgrims travel on foot from Sultanpur and other places carrying Gangajal to Muzaffarpur for the Jalabhishek of Baba Garibnath. In view of the expected crowd, extensive arrangements have been made at the temple.
As Jalabhishek began at 12 midnight, the queue of devotees continued to move forward. Several devotees had been waiting since late night for their turn. The temple and surrounding areas echoed with chants of “Har Har Mahadev” and “Bol Bam” as devotees waited for darshan and Jalabhishek.
The administration and temple management have made special arrangements to regulate the crowd. Devotees are being guided towards the temple in queues to prevent disorder. Security arrangements have also been strengthened as the crowd has increased, with police personnel and security staff deployed around the temple.
Around 5 lakh devotees are expected to visit Baba Garibnath Temple on Sawan Monday. Managing the crowd is a key challenge for the administration in view of the expected turnout. Traffic arrangements are also being closely monitored on major roads in the city and surrounding areas.
Barricading has been installed for devotees, with arrangements made at different locations to regulate queues. Security personnel have been instructed to remain particularly vigilant to prevent inconvenience to women, elderly people and children in the crowd.
The number of devotees visiting Baba Garibnath Temple for Jalabhishek on Sawan Monday is several times higher than on normal days. Devotees continue to arrive at the temple from morning until late at night, while many join the queue during the night to get an opportunity to perform Jalabhishek on time.
Shops selling puja materials have also been set up around the temple premises. Devotees are arriving with belpatra, flowers, dhatura, bhang, milk, Gangajal and other worship materials. Shopkeepers have stocked puja materials in sufficient quantities in view of Sawan Monday.
Special arrangements have also been made for Kanwariyas. Service camps have been established along routes for Shiva devotees arriving from distant places carrying Gangajal. Volunteers at several locations are providing water, sherbet and other essential facilities to Kanwariyas. Chants of “Bol Bam” can be heard at various places across the city.
Baba Garibnath Temple in Muzaffarpur is recognised as a prominent Shiva pilgrimage centre. The temple attracts devotees throughout the month of Sawan, while Sawan Monday brings a larger gathering. Movement of devotees towards the temple increases from the night itself.
Many devotees have arrived with their families, while large numbers of young people and Kanwariya groups are travelling together. Devotees are moving through the queues while chanting the names of Lord Shiva.
The administration is also monitoring the crowd through CCTV cameras. Security personnel deployed at the temple and other important locations are continuously monitoring the situation. Administrative and health department teams have been kept on alert to deal with any emergency.
The administration has appealed to devotees visiting the temple to follow designated routes and prescribed rules. They have been advised to avoid pushing in the crowd and to move peacefully through the queues. Police personnel and volunteers remain present among the devotees to maintain security arrangements.
The Sawan Monday gathering has also increased traffic pressure in Muzaffarpur city. Vehicle movement on roads leading to the temple is being regulated. Traffic diversions and parking arrangements have been made at several locations in view of the crowd to prevent congestion on major roads.
A large number of devotees arriving for Jalabhishek are also those who have come to express gratitude to Baba Garibnath after the fulfilment of their wishes. Several devotees follow the tradition of performing Jalabhishek at the temple every Monday during Sawan, while some have arrived for Baba Garibnath’s darshan for the first time.
The Jalabhishek that began at 12 midnight is continuing. The number of devotees is expected to increase further as the day progresses. The administration expects around 5 lakh devotees to visit Baba Garibnath for darshan and Jalabhishek during Sawan Monday.
Despite rain and humidity, devotees are standing in queues and waiting for their turn. The temple and surrounding areas continue to echo with chants of “Har Har Mahadev,” “Bol Bam” and “Baba Garibnath.”
Local residents and voluntary organisations have also joined the administration in providing services to devotees. Drinking water and service camps have been established at several locations.
With the large gathering at Baba Garibnath Temple, security and traffic management could become a greater challenge in the coming hours. The administration is working to ensure that devotees reach the temple safely and complete the Jalabhishek without difficulty.
