Varanasi/Mathura, Aug. 4 -- Shiva temples across Uttar Pradesh reverberated with chants of "Bam Bam Bhole" as the first Monday of Sawan drew massive crowds, with Kanwariyas being welcomed with flower showers and over 2.25 lakh pilgrims visiting the Kashi Vishwanath Temple by early morning. Many devotees also visited Mritujay Mahadev, Gauri Kedareshwar, Tilbhamdeshwar, Shooltankeshwar, Markandey Mahadev, Sarangnath Mahadev, Vishwanath Temple BHU and other Shiva Temples. Divisional commissioner S Rajalingam also visited the KV temple and performed the puja. He welcomed and greeted the pilgrims in queue by showering flowers upon them. KV Temple chief executive officer Vishwa Bhushan Mishra and SDM Shambhu Kumar, were present on the occasion. In Prayagraj, a large number of devotees were seen collecting holy water from the Ganga and Sangam after taking a ritual dip before proceeding to various Shiva temples for offering prayers. At Dashashwamedh Ghat, a steady stream of Kanwariyas gathered since morning, filling their Kanwars and Kalash with the Ganga water before embarking on their pilgrimage to temples in Prayagraj and Varanasi. Major Shiva temples, including the ancient Shri Mankameshwar Mahadev Temple, Gangeshwar Temple, Nagvasuki Temple and Someshwar Nath Mahadev Temple, witnessed heavy footfall. In Mathura, large numbers of devotees thronged major Shiva temples. At the historic Bhuteshwar Mahadev Temple, also known as "Shehr Kotwal", devotees performed Maha Abhishek of Lord Shiva, said Jitendra Goswami, Sewayat of the temple. In Muzaffarnagar, district magistrate Chandra Prakash Singh and SSP Shlok Kumar inspected arrangements at the Chintaharan Mahadev Temple. Long queues of devotees were seen outside Shiva temples at Shiva Chowk, Vahelna and Krishnapuri, as well as the famous Panchmukhi Shivling Temple in Sambhalhera village in the district....