Shahjahanpur (UP), Jul 17 (PTI) Hundreds of inmates, including a British national woman on death row, are observing the holy month of Sawan by offering prayers to Lord Shiva with sacred Ganga water.
While some are participating out of religious faith, many inmates are fasting with the hope of early release from prison.
Mizajilal Jail Superintendent told PTI on Wednesday that many prison inmates have been actively engaged in the worship of Lord Shiva during the month of 'sawan'. To facilitate this, the jail administration has made Shiva Purana and other religious texts available to the prisoners.
The essential offerings such as 'belpatra' and 'dhatura' flowers are being provided in the four temples located within the prison complex.
He said that Ganga water has been brought in from Panchal Ghat in nearby Farrukhabad district, allowing the prisoners to perform daily 'jalabhishek' (water offering) to the Shiva lingam. Additionally, an individual has been assigned to assist the inmates with rituals and religious practices in the jail temples.
The jail superintendent further shared that British national Amandeep Kaur, who is on death row for killing her husband in 2015, is also observing the Monday fast and worshipping Lord Shiva daily by offering 'belpatra'. He quoted Amandeep as saying that her time in India has strengthened her faith in God and that she hopes her devotion and fasting may lead to divine intervention, reducing her death sentence to a lesser punishment.
Right now, the jail complex houses a total of 1,301 inmates, including 47 women. There is a separate temple in the barracks for women, where they all pray and perform rituals.
The official added that over 500 male and female inmates participate in daily prayers with 220 inmates, including 21 women, observing fasts on Mondays during the month of Sawan. These fasting inmates are provided with 500 grams of milk, 750 grams of boiled potatoes, 100 grams of sugar and fruits for their meals.
He noted that during conversations with some inmates, he found that while some fast as an act of repentance, others do so due to personal devotion or in the hope of early release from jail through divine blessings.
The Hindu month of sawan or shravan is considered one of the holiest months dedicated to Lord Shiva, marked by fasting, prayers and rituals. The devotees believe that worshipping Lord Shiva during this time brings blessings, fulfills wishes and absolve them of their sins.