Bhubaneswar: Thousands of Bol Bam devotees gathered at Lord Shiva temples across Odisha today to mark the first Monday of the holy month of Shraavana.

Clad in saffron attire, Kanwariyas embarked on their annual pilgrimage by collecting holy water from rivers in small pots before proceeding on foot in groups to offer the water to Lord Shiva at temples across the state.

Heavy crowds were witnessed at several prominent Shiva shrines, including the Lingaraja Temple in Bhubaneswar, Dhabaleswar Temple in Cuttack, Lokanath Temple in Puri, and Akhandalamani Temple in Bhadrak. Devotees queued for hours to perform rituals and seek blessings on the auspicious occasion.

Authorities made elaborate arrangements to ensure smooth crowd management and the safety of devotees. The Twin City Commissionerate Police deployed additional personnel in Bhubaneswar and Cuttack to regulate traffic, maintain law and order, and assist pilgrims.

Considering the large number of devotees collecting water from rivers, police and the Fire Services department stationed powerboats, lifejackets, rope lines, and portable lighting systems at vulnerable riverbank locations.

Officials also appealed to devotees to avoid venturing into deep waters while collecting water for the rituals and to follow safety guidelines throughout the pilgrimage.