Saffron-clad pilgrims begin their foot journey to Ganges to fetch holy water

The devotees of Lord Shiva known as Kanwaria in Deoghar district of Jharkhand began their foot journey to the Hindu pilgrimage places of Haridwar, Gaumukh and Gangotri in Uttarakhand to fetch holy waters of river Ganga.

Every year more than five million devotees from different parts of the country visit the Deoghar temple over a period of 30 days to pay obeisance to Lord Shiva during Shravani mela.

A devotee, Suresh Kumar, said that the district administration has made elaborate arrangements for the comfort of the devotees. "The system is very good. Everything is very well organised. We did not face any difficulty in offering our prayers," he said.

According to Hindu calendar, Shravani mela begins on Shravan Amavasya, no moon day in Shravan month and ends on Shravan purnima, full moon day in Shravan month.

Legend says that Shiv Linga of Deogarh Baidyanath temple was brought there by a demon Ravana; hence the temple is known as Ravaneshwar Mahadeo temple.