2025 Sawan Shivratri
Nawan Nagar, August 2025
The month of Sawan (Shravan), which falls in July–August, is a sacred period dedicated to expressing gratitude, reverence, devotion, and penance to Lord Shiva. Numerous auspicious festivals celebrate this holy month and a large number of Lord Shiva devotees undertake pilgrimages around this period.
Sawan Shivratri is observed on the 14th day of this revered month. Each year, Vishav Manav Ruhani Kendra (VMRK) commemorates this auspicious devotional occasion at its Nawan Nagar center. This year, Sawan Shivratri fell on July 23, and VMRK invited devotional singers to narrate in traditional Indian style, the Shiv Vivah Katha, the story of the divine marriage between Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati.
Preparation
VMRK offers large-scale charitable services for many devotional events, festivals, and yatras (pilgrimages) year-round, especially in summer. These involve months of extensive planning and preparation, and VMRK meticulously coordinates volunteers and logistics to serve at these events, festivals, and yatras that happen at the same time.
Sawan Shivratri marks the conclusion of the kanwar yatra. This year, thousands of kanwarias (pilgrims) came to the Nawan Nagar center to pay their respects to Sant Baljit Singh Ji. They joined a large gathering who came from near and far to have darshan of Sant Baljit Singh Ji and enjoy the Shiv Vivah celebration. VMRK made extensive preparations to provide a comfortable experience for all, with special care given to the kanwarias after their strenuous journey.
A large shed was dedicated for kanwarias to rest and sit. Foam mattresses lined the area for added comfort. A medical camp was set up in one corner to provide immediate care to kanwarias who needed medical attention. Kanwarias were also served food in this area.
Large waterproof tents were set up in two gardens for the other attendees. Another large tent was set up on the community grounds adjacent to the center to provide additional seating.
To cope with the humid weather and prevent dehydration, VMRK equipped the entire seating area with fans and air coolers and served refreshing drinks, including lassi (sweet buttermilk), and freshly squeezed lemonade.
Event day
An influx of kanwarias and attendees began arriving a few days early, and by the morning of Sawan Shivratri, the center was buzzing! Everyone was shown great hospitality and guided to their respective seating areas. Six large LED screens and audio equipment were installed across the seating areas so that everyone could enjoy the event.
A wide pathway between the shed for kanwarias and the two gardens was adored with string lights all the way to the dais that was beautifully decorated in the local traditional style in preparation for Sant Baljit Singh Ji.
As evening approached, the kanwarias left their seating areas and gathered along this pathway. Facing the dais, they began dancing with heartfelt exuberance to devotional songs as they waited for Sant Baljit Singh Ji’s arrival. The attendees also clapped along and enjoyed the devotional songs while sitting in their respective seating areas. Both kanwarias and attendees radiated devotion and excitement together.
Sant Baljit Singh Ji’s arrival
Within a few hours, Sant Baljit Singh Ji arrived and a wave of joy and excitement spread among everyone. The crowd began clapping and dancing more enthusiastically as they enjoyed the celebratory atmosphere in the presence of Sant Baljit Singh Ji. Smiling warmly and appreciating their devotion to Lord Shiva, Sant Baljit Singh Ji walked back and forth along the center of the pathway. The kanwarias surrounding him on either side continued dancing exuberantly, happy to see him up close. When Sant Baljit Singh Ji walked through the seating area of the attendees, the overjoyed crowd clapped with their hands raised and chanted together, “Bum Bum Bhole,” a praise to Lord Shiva.
Shiv Vivah Katha and darshan program
After walking for nearly two hours among the kanwarias and attendees, Sant Baljit Singh Ji took his seat. The professional singers then commenced the Shiv Vivah Katha. Shortly thereafter, the darshan program also began. The kanwarias assembled one by one in a queue and walked past the dais to have Sant Baljit Singh Ji’s darshan. Meanwhile, those waiting to have darshan, as well as those who already had darshan, continued to enjoy the devotional songs.
The narration lasted for around four hours, until midnight, followed by devotional performances by the professional singers. After the kanwarias had finished, the attendees took their turn for darshan while the professional singers continued singing devotional songs. The audience sang along and clapped to devotional songs, echoing and filling the entire atmosphere with spiritual bliss.
The darshan program concluded at around 10 am the next day, lasting a total of 15 hours. This year, the number of attendees and kanwarias had increased significantly, yet everyone was given the opportunity to have darshan and offer their love and respect. Before leaving, Sant Baljit Singh Ji gave a talk lasting around one hour and 20 minutes.
The celebration concluded with VMRK lovingly serving a meal consisting of puri, halwa, black chana, sabzi, and kheer to everyone.