Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday urged people to observe the holy month of Shravan with a commitment to service, cleanliness, water conservation, environmental protection and social participation, describing the festival as a symbol of public welfare, harmony and respect for nature.
In a message addressed to the people of the state, the Chief Minister said the month of Shravan reflects the values of togetherness, hard work and spiritual discipline, while the worship of Lord Shiva inspires restraint, sacrifice and selfless service.
“The month of Shravan is a holy festival of public welfare, respect for labour and togetherness. Nature gives a message of new creation, and the hard work of our farmers begins to bear fruit in the form of green prosperity. When this innovation of nature is linked with the worship of Lord Shiva, it shows us the path of restraint, service and harmony in life,” Adityanath said.
Referring to the Hindu legend of Samudra Manthan, the Chief Minister said Lord Shiva’s act of consuming the Halahal poison symbolises the ultimate sacrifice made to protect creation, while the tradition of offering water to the deity represents gratitude, sacrifice and public welfare.
Highlighting Lord Shiva’s close association with nature, Adityanath said symbols such as the Ganga flowing from his matted locks, the crescent moon on his forehead, the serpent around his neck and Nandi convey the message of coexistence with nature.
Describing Shravan as a season of renewal, he said the monsoon transforms both rural and urban landscapes with greenery, while community feasts following paddy transplantation and the large number of devotees visiting Shiva temples reflect India’s shared cultural heritage and collective spirit.
Emphasising the need for water conservation, the Chief Minister said water is the foundation of life among the five elements and underlined the state’s efforts to promote sustainable water management.
He said nearly 20,000 Amrit Sarovars have been developed across Uttar Pradesh under various water conservation initiatives. Citing an example from Lucknow, he noted that a residential society had connected around 50,000 litres of water discharged daily from RO systems and air conditioners to a rainwater harvesting system for groundwater recharge, describing it as an inspiring model of public participation.
“Due to climate change and excessive exploitation, public participation in water conservation has become essential at the global level. We should resolve to return to nature as much as we take from it,” he said.
Calling for greater public participation in environmental conservation, Adityanath urged citizens to make Shravan “a month of service, cleanliness, water conservation, environmental promotion and social participation.”
“Respect every drop and protect every plant. This is the true message of Shravan and also the foundation for a prosperous, safe and developed Uttar Pradesh,” he added.
Shravan, the fifth month of the Hindu calendar, is regarded as one of the most auspicious periods for the worship of Lord Shiva. Devotees observe fasts on Mondays (Sawan Somwar), undertake the Kanwar Yatra to collect holy water from sacred rivers, and offer it at Shiva temples. The month is associated with spiritual renewal, self-discipline and devotion, with devotees seeking Lord Shiva’s blessings for peace, prosperity and well-being.