Chandigarh: Shivratri hikes up fruits' rates, rain pushes vegetables' prices down

By: Karanveer Dev

CHANDIGARH: Between Shivratri and the rains, most vegetables, including gobi, patta gobi, lasun and kadoo, have become cheaper. One has to shell out more for potatoes, though. Fruits, considered auspicious to offer to Lord Shiva on Shivratri, have also been marked up, following heavy demand.


Jawarharlal, a vegetable vendor from Sector 26 sabzi mandi, said, "On Shivratri, people keep fast for Lord Shiv and avoid vegetables. We are forced to sell vegetables for cheaper prices."


For Raman, another vegetable vendor at the Sector 26 mandi, it is the rain that has played the spoilsport. "On Saturday, it rained so heavily that our stock is yet to be sold. We are still selling our yesterday's stock, but in great loss."

On the other hand, the prices of fruits such as kinoo, grapes and apples, have increased because of Shivratri. Naturally, fruit sellers are happy, because they are doing brisk business despite the rains. Govind, who is a wholesale fruit seller at Sector 26, said, "Devotees don't mind paying more to buy fruits because Lord Shiva must be offered fruits on Shivratri."


Have deployed enough people, say cops

T o maintain law and order in Mahadevpur Shiv temple in Saketri, on the occasion of Mahashivratri, Panchkula administration has appointed tehsildar as duty magistrate. Panchkula deputy commissioner of police (DCP) informed that an officer at the level of assistant commissioner of police and enough police personnel will be appointed to ensure the safety of the area. Panchkula deputy commissioner (DC) Balkar Singh, said that Virender Gill has been appointed as duty magistrate inside the temple, while district block development and panchayat officer Abhimanyu Goyal will be the duty magistrate outside the temple area.

When contacted, Panchkula DCP Kamaldeep Goyal, he said, "Sufficient police personnel have been appointed to take care of security."

A large number of people come from far-flung places to offer prayers to god Shiva in Saketri. Devotees will start to queue for darshan from early Monday morning. Usually, devotees begin to come to the temple on Sunday night to offer prayers early in the morning.