Mahashivratri 2026: 'Har Har Mahadev' echoes through Shiva temples nationwide

Varanasi (The Uttam Hindu): With the holy festival of Mahashivratri, temples across the country have resonated with the chants of Har Har Mahadev. Devotees have been standing in lines since Brahma Muhurta to have darshan of their deity, but even after seeing the huge crowd, the enthusiasm of the devotees is not decreasing. Long lines have been formed outside the temples in Varanasi and Deoghar since morning for darshan. In Kashi Vishwanath, Baba was adorned with peacock feathers and the entire complex resonated with the chants of Har Har Mahadev.

On the occasion of Mahashivratri, SDM Shambhu Sharan said, "The people of Kashi are extremely enthusiastic about this festival. Since morning, devotees have been standing in long queues in the courtyard of Baba Vishwanath, praying and receiving darshan. So far, more than 40,000 devotees have received darshan, and in view of the increasing crowd of devotees, all medical arrangements have been made." DCP Gaurav Bansal, who was present at the spot, said, "Lakhs of devotees have arrived, and arrangements have been made to facilitate their darshan. Due to the huge crowd, queues have been formed to ensure orderly darshan. Barricades have been placed at the ghats, and surveillance is being done from boats."

Meanwhile, Police Commissioner Mohit Agarwal said, "This is the holy festival of Mahashivratri, and long queues of devotees have formed since last night. All police forces are deployed. Barricades have been erected around the temple complex, and the entire process is being closely monitored to ensure that no devotee faces any problems. 300 cameras have been installed for surveillance, and the crowds are increasing as the day progresses. Security has also been strengthened with the help of drones."

A devotee who came to see Baba said, "We arrived here last night and, after bathing around midnight, got in line. We had darshan between 4:30 and 5:00 in the morning." Another devotee said, "There is prosperity in Kashi today; we have to wait in long lines for darshan, but the arrangements are excellent. Darshan is being done without any rush. Devotees seemed very happy to receive Baba Vishwanath's blessings."

At the Baba Baidyanath Temple in Deoghar, devotees immersed in Baba's love are waiting in line for four hours to have darshan. Devotees who came to visit said that the temple has been crowded since morning and they have been waiting in line for four hours, but the arrangements at the temple are good; everyone is being given the opportunity to offer water to Baba. It is believed that more than 150,000 devotees may come to the temple for darshan.