Temple brings 108 Shivlings for celebrations

CHANDIGARH: From 108 shivlings to newly-stitched clothes for the idols and special enclosures for "kawarias", temples in the Tricity are all set to celebrate Shivratri in a grand manner on Thursday.
A temple in Sector 35 has brought 108 Shivlings from Jaipur to ease the rush of devotees. The committee of Raksheshvar Shri Raam Mandir has made elaborate preparations to celebrate the festival.The temple has been decked up with flowers and lights. Priest Om Prakash said, "We have brought a painter along with the 108 Shivlings as artisans of Jaipur are renowned for their skills. Most of them are engrossed and already booked for painting the idols."
"The 108 Shivlings will enable devotes to pray and worship without awaiting their turn. They can easily offer flowers, fruits, bel leaves and milk. More than 200 families will be part of the celebrations. We have also made arrangements for kawarias, who would bring holy water of Ganga and offer it to Lord Shiva," he added.
Being the oldest Shiv temple, Saketri at Manimajra draws hordes of "kawarias" a?? some of them walk all the way from Haridwar. The Saketri temple has more than 200 stalls. Priest Sabhajit of a temple in Sector 18 said, "The main celebrations will be held at Saketri temple but the Sector 18 Shiv Mandir also gives its devotees a spiritual environment."