Bhubaneswar: Thousands of Kaudias (Bol Bom devotees) made a beeline at Shiva temples across the state for Jala Lagi (to pour holy water on Shivlings) on the first Monday of the sacred Shravan month of Hindu calendar.
The devotees, both women and men, were seen standing in a long queue at the Lingaraj Temple in Bhubaneswar to pour holy water on Lord Shiva and offer their special prayers.
In the month of Shravan, the bol bam devotees wearing saffron clothes collect water from rivers, make Shivalingas on the river bed and worship them before embarking on a long walk to a Shiva temple of their choice. They carry the water in two containers made of clay or brass or copper attached to a bamboo stick decorated with accessories, believed to be loved by the Lord.
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It is said that the special prayers and offerings made to Shiva during the holy month of Shravan are answered by the Lord.
The Kaudia yatra will continue every day, especially on Mondays, till Rakhi Purnima or Gamha Purnima. Until then, the devotees will go without shaving and abstain from consuming any type of non-vegetarian food, even onion and garlic.
Ms Kalinga