By Neeraj Kumar
Patna: The auspicious month of Sawan, beloved by Lord Shiva’s devotees, begins on July 22. During this time, devotees don saffron clothes and carry Kanwar on their shoulders as they journey to various sacred sites, including Baba Baijnath, Baba Hariharnath in Sonpur, Baba Garib Nath in Muzaffarpur, and the Someshwar Nath Mahadev temple in Areraj, to perform Jalabhishek.
In preparation for Sawan, Patna’s cloth market is already bustling with activity. Shopkeepers have stocked up on saffron clothes to meet the high demand. Pappu Kumar, a local shopkeeper, noted that saffron-colored half pants, T-shirts, and vests are particularly popular this season. Unlike last year, when Mahakal kurtas were in vogue, this year’s trend favors shirts featuring prints of Lord Shiva, “Om Namah Shivay,” or simply “Om.”
Pappu Kumar explained that T-shirts and half pants are preferred over kurtas because they are more comfortable and durable. For female devotees, kurtis and pyjamas are in demand. Prices for T-shirts range from Rs 100 to Rs 250, while half pants are priced between Rs 100 and Rs 200.
Another shopkeeper, Raunak Kumar, mentioned that the market for saffron clothes is currently slow but is expected to pick up after the first Monday of Sawan. He shared that they source their clothes from Kolkata and Jaipur, specifically for the Sawan season, and are optimistic about increased sales in the coming weeks.
Customer Pappu Pratap Yadav expressed his excitement for the holy month, sharing that he has been visiting Baba’s city for several years and always buys saffron clothes for the occasion. He purchased half pants, T-shirts, and shirts with Bhole Baba’s print for his pilgrimage with friends.
This year’s Sawan is particularly special, beginning and ending on a Monday, which adds to the spiritual significance. Cloth shopkeepers in Patna are hopeful that the demand for saffron clothes will continue to rise as the month progresses, driven by devotees’ enthusiasm for shirts with “Om Namah Shivay” and images of Lord Bholenath.
