Agra, Jul 24 (IANS): The annual 'parikrama' (circumnavigation) around the four Shiva temples at the four corners of the Taj city began Sunday morning with thousands of people offering prayers and joining the 50-km walk that will end early Monday.
Rajeshwar, Kailash, Balkeshwar and Prithvi Nath temples are all decked up. Religious organisations have put up free water and food stalls at most road crossings.
District authorities have made elaborate security arrangements to ensure free movement of the devotees who have been told not to carry sticks. Hindu outfits have opposed this ban.
Traffic restrictions and ban on entry of heavy vehicles from Mathura, Gwalior and Firozabad roads will create problems for the tourists, travel agents fear.
The four Mondays of Shrawan are considered particularly auspicious for appeasing Hindu god Shiva and conducting special 'pujas' at temples, after a day-long fast.