VARANASI, August 5, 2013: Scores of devotees have thronged the city to offer 'jalabhishek' to Lord Shiva. Dressed in saffron attires, Kanwariyas who walk miles bare-foot, carry different varieties of pots, kalash and bottles on shoulders to store Gangajal.

Suresh Kumar, a Kanwariya from Allahabad who was seen carrying medium-sized coloured earthen pots said: "I have painted the pots myself. This way, I feel more dedicated to the deity. I am following this trend for past five years." Kanwariya Manoj Singh from Gyanpur had arrived with a handmade earthen pot. "I have learnt the art and thought why not use it before setting off for the journey. I will make sure it does not get broken in the journey." The number of Kanwariyas carrying earthen pots is less as compared to those carrying plastic pots, containers and bottles. Huge variety of plastic pots of different shapes and designs are selling at the makeshift shops near prominent temples in the city. Bright plastic pots coming with a tight-fitted lid are a rage. "The colour of these plastic pots range from brown to dark magenta, yellow and orange," Sunita, a vendor at Dashaswamedh Road said.

Hundreds of makeshift shops have sprouted near prominent Shiva temples and Dashaswamedh road. Plastic pots and bottles arrive from Allahabad every week. Meanwhile, many Kanwariyas were also seen carrying metal containers on shoulders. Although the beautifully crafted metal containers are not selling on the roadside, these are purchased from shops in Thathery Bazaar, Chowk and Vishwanath Gali. Young Kanwariya Rahul, who was spotted carrying a metal container for Ganga Jal, said that he had purchased it from his hometown in Bareilly. He also carried a plastic container as metal is banned in Kashi Vishwanath temple.

Shiva devotees from across the country purchase different styles of metal pots and containers to offer jalabhishek to Lord Shiva. A utensil shop owner at Thathery Bazaar said that the sale of metal containers specially kalash and pots have grown by 25% in Shrawan. Kanwariyas prefer lighter pots but the devotees from South India buy heavier and costly pots. These metal pots are available in shops near Thathery Bazaar, Chowk and Vishwanath Gali. A number of makeshift shops have come up at Dashaswamedh selling pots and bottles for carrying Gangajal.

Source: The Times of India, DT. August 5, 2013.