Bhubaneswar: With the beginning of Hindu month of Shrabana (rainy season between July-August) after full moon day, the kawariyas in large numbers flocked Lord Shiva shrines across the state to offer holy water throughout the month.

As tomorrow is the first Monday of the holy month of Shrabana, the Shaivites have commenced their journey to offer holy water, brought from the sacred river following special puja, to Lord Shiva for fulfilment of their long wishes.

In view of influx of kawariyas to the centuries old Lingaraj Temple in Bhubaneswar, the temple administration has made special arrangements for the devotees.

The ASI has started building the barricades inside and outside the shrine for the kawariyas. Also, the non-veg eatery shops located from Badheibanka Chhak to temple will remain shut for a month, sources said.

For the safety of kawariyas, the police forces will be deployed from Sunday.

On Monday, the temple will be opened from 3.00 am. The free darshan and Jalalagi (offering holy water to Lord Shiva) rituals by kawariyas will begin from 4.00 am following completion of daily rituals including Mangala Arati and Abakash, informed Lingaraj Temple Executive Officer Pradip Kumar Sahoo.

This year, the temple administration has made special arrangement for the kawariyas. A long pipe made of copper has been installed near Ada Katha where the kawariyas in queue will pour the holy water into the pipe. The water will move through the pipe and fall upon the Shakti of Lord Shiva, he said.

For pouring the holy water via the copper pipe, the kawariyas have to pay Rs 10 each as fee, he added.

Worth mentioning, the tradition of north India -- walking miles barefoot with holy water from a sacred river and to visit a Shaivite shrine, is now added to Odia culture since few decades.

At Lingaraj Temple in Bhubaneswar, the devotees make beelines on every Monday in the month of Shrabana to pour holy water on Shiva Lingam.