The revered Somnath temple, known as the first among the 12 Jyotirlinga shrines of Lord Shiva, is anticipating its highest number of devotees for the year during the month of Shravan. The Somnath Temple Trust has announced extensive preparations to accommodate the influx of worshippers.
The month of Shravan, which holds significant spiritual importance in the Hindu calendar, begins on August 5th this year. According to Hindu mythology, Lord Shiva was reunited with his wife Parvati during this month, following Parvati’s penance to marry Shiva.
Officials from the Somnath Temple Trust highlight the significance of the Dhwaja Puja, a ritual involving the hoisting of a special new flag on the temple top.
Last year, 549 Dhwaja Pujas were conducted, with numbers expected to rise this year due to the absence of Adhik Shravan Maas.
Devotees can participate in the Dhwaja Puja by making a donation of Rs. 11,000. The ritual, often a grand family event, attracts participants from across India and around the world.
The Somnath Temple Trust, chaired by India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has also initiated efforts to provide self-employment opportunities to local women by involving them in the creation of the Dhwaja flags, a tradition that spans three generations.
Special arrangements have been made to ensure a smooth experience for devotees, including skilled personnel to conduct the Dhwaja Puja. Once booked, the preparation for the Puja takes about an hour, after which a skilled individual hoists the flag on behalf of the devotee.
The previous Dhwaja is then given to the devotees as Prasad.
The temple trust has also allocated additional staff for various activities to ensure a comfortable and fulfilling visit for all attendees.
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