Jamshedpur: Devotees offer prayers on Shravan’s third Monday

Jamshedpur, Aug 9: Amidst the shadow of the holy month of Shravan is being celebrated in the city. With social distancing norms in place, devotees on Monday offered their prayers. The traditional fevour associated with the auspicious season of Shravan is missing in the city due to the pandemic, devotees in the city however managed to offer prayers at a few temples on the third Monday of Shravan. The devotees, wearing masks, followed social distancing norms and offered prayers. Some temples performed rituals to mark the third Monday of the month.

Inside the temples, the fragrance of agarbattis, sandalwood and flowers gave a pious feel. While the serene air that accomplishes religious festivities instilled a positive feeling among the devotees.

In the temples, devotees poured milk, curd, honey, ghee and bael (bilwa) leaves on Shivlings and prayed for the well-being and prosperity of the family. People also offered prasad (sweets) to the deity along with flowers which were later distributed among devotees. “Lord Shiva is the one who removes all hindrances in the way of his devotee’s life. During the month of Shravan, we visit temples every Monday,” said Nikhil Akhilesh.

On the holy occasion, devotees also observe fast on every Monday falling in Shravan month. “It is believed unmarried girls who observe fast on all Mondays of the month get good husbands. Married women keep it for peace and prosperity of the family. Besides, fasting purifies our soul and provides inner strength,” said Alka Singh, another visitor to the temple.

Meanwhile the rise in prices of fruits started onwards with the beginning of the first Somwari of the Shravan month and today evening the prices had increased by several marks while the prices of non-vegetarian items seem to have a downward swing with each passing day.

Mohammed Hassan, a senior functionary of Jamshedpur Fruits Wholesalers Association (JFWSA)  said that fruits are usually brought from Uttar Pradesh and some from Bihar and West Bengal and lack of cold storage facility in the district often forces the wholesalers to bring less quality fruits.

“We know that the festivals are important for the market and order in bulk but we have our limitations as in this humid climate there are chances of fruits getting rotten.  In the entire district there is not a single cold storage. There is one cold storage in Tamolia which is owned by a private party and that too has limited space.,” he said.