Varanasi: As the scorching nine-day period of 'Nautapa' commenced on Monday with temperatures soaring across eastern Uttar Pradesh, devotees at Shri Kashi Vishwanath Dham sought spiritual solace amid the blazing heat by offering a cooling fruit juice abhishek to Bhagwan Shri Vishweshwar.
Heatwave Conditions Grip Varanasi
Varanasi reeled under intense heatwave conditions as the mercury touched 44.9 degrees Celsius — 4.1 notches above normal — prompting the India Meteorological Department (IMD) to place the city and adjoining districts on high alert. The extreme temperatures have made life difficult for residents, but the religious fervor remains undiminished.
Traditional Abhishek Ceremony
In keeping with an age-old tradition of Kashi, priests at the temple began a special abhishek ceremony using juices of seasonal fruits and cooling substances. On the opening day of 'Nautapa', Bhagwan Shri Vishweshwar was ceremonially bathed with juices of rose, lychee, mango and other refreshing fruits to symbolically offer relief from the oppressive summer heat. The ritual is believed to invoke divine blessings for coolness and well-being.
Significance of Nautapa
'Nautapa', observed during the Hindu month of 'Jyeshtha' (May-June), marks the period when the Sun enters 'Rohini Nakshatra', traditionally considered the hottest phase of the year in North India. The nine-day spell is associated with severe heatwave conditions, and devotees worship Surya Dev and Lord Shiva seeking health, protection and prosperity. The fruit juice abhishek is a unique way to appease the deities and pray for relief from the scorching sun.
Daily Rituals Throughout Nautapa
Temple authorities said the ritual of offering fruit juice abhishek to Bholenath during peak summer has been an enduring tradition in Kashi. Throughout the nine days, Bhagwan Shri Vishweshwar will be offered daily abhishek with different fruit juices including mango, lychee, pomegranate, orange and other seasonal fruits. Each day features a different juice, adding variety to the offerings and maintaining the devotees' enthusiasm.
Spiritual and Cultural Significance
The ritual holds deep spiritual and cultural significance for devotees, who gather in large numbers during Nautapa to perform collective puja and seek divine blessings. Beyond its religious symbolism, the abhishek is also seen as an expression of devotion aimed at invoking coolness, peace and relief from the harsh summer. Devotees prayed for protection from the relentless heat and sought blessings for the well-being of their families, as chants and rituals echoed through the temple premises amid the sweltering weather.
The temple administration has made arrangements for devotees to participate in the rituals while ensuring their safety from the heat. The fruit juice abhishek not only provides a spiritual respite but also highlights the cultural heritage of Kashi, where traditions are preserved despite changing times.
