Varanasi, the city of Shiva by Alessandra Quadri

Varanasi, the sacred city of India built on the banks of the Ganges, is also called the city of Lord Shiva and has many temples dedicated to this Hindu god. These pictures were shot during Shravan month (July), dedicated to Lord Shiva, when scores of pilgrims from all around India swarm to the city for a pilgrimage to the temples. The month is so sacred that many north indians give up taking non-veg and garlic and onions during the period. One can also find many people (esp. girls) observing the famous Somvar Vrat fast on Monday, which is supposed to help them find a good husband.
One can know that the month has started from the sudden urge of people to start wearing orange coloured robe and the rush to offer water & milk in the many Shiva temples of the city.
The legend says that when the churning of oceans - Samudra Manthan - took place in the month of Shravan, fourteen different types of things came out. Thirteen of these were distributed amongst the devs & demons, except Halahal (poison). Nobody was ready to touch it, while it played havoc with the ecosystem. Lord Shiva, being of a kind heart, drank the poison and stored it in his throat. Since then he is called as Neelkantha (meaning blue throat).

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Contained in galleries: Varanasi, the city of Lord Shiva

Varanasi, the sacred city of India built on the banks of the Ganges, is also called the city of Lord Shiva and has many temples dedicated to this Hindu god. These pictures were shot during Shravan month (July), dedicated to Lord Shiva, when scores of pilgrims from all around India swarm to the city for a pilgrimage to the temples. The month is so sacred that many north indians give up taking non-veg and garlic and onions during the period. One can also find many people (esp. girls) observing the famous Somvar Vrat fast on Monday, which is supposed to help them find a good husband. <br />
One can know that the month has started from the sudden urge of people to start wearing orange coloured robe and the rush to offer water & milk in the many Shiva temples of the city.<br />
The legend says that when the churning of oceans - Samudra Manthan - took place in the month of Shravan, fourteen different types of things came out. Thirteen of these were distributed amongst the devs & demons, except Halahal (poison). Nobody was ready to touch it, while it played havoc with the ecosystem. Lord Shiva, being of a kind heart, drank the poison and stored it in his throat. Since then he is called as Neelkantha (meaning blue throat).