Gujarat: 31-ft Shiva Lingam unveiled in Valsad

Last Updated: Monday, February 20, 2012, 00:29

Tags: Mahashivratri, Gujarat Shiva Lingam, Valsad District

Ahmedabad: A 31-feet 'Shiva lingam' made up of over 20 lakh rudraksha beads was on Sunday unveiled at Kharvel village in Valsad district on the eve of Mahashivratri festival.

Rudraksha beads are vertically lined using threads on a steel frame to construct the mammoth structure which has a base with a diameter of 16 ft.

Building Shiv lingam is an initiative of one Batuk Vyas, a businessman from Dharampur taluka in South Gujarat and the workers collectively put 30,000 man hours to construct it in six months.

Vyas claimed to have broken his own record of 25-feet rudraksha shiva lingam which was recorded in the Limca Book of Records (LBR) last year.

"It all started with an 11 inch high rudraksha shiva lingam 13 year ago and today we have reached 31 ft which is big achievement for with blessing of Lord Shiva and people zeal," Vyas said.

"This year we have built a 31 ft shiva lingam using over 20 lakh rudraksha beads. Last year, we had built rudraksha shiva lingam which was 25 ft tall and was recorded in the Limca book of records," he said.

Vyas has been building such rudraksha shiva lingam since last 13 years.

The structure was unveiled by Chief Income Tax Commissioner of Gujarat MD Kabra and Chairperson of Gujarat Women's Commission Lilaben Ankolia.

"The idea behind creation of Shiva lingam made out of rudraksha is to offer a glimpse of innumerable divine properties of rudraksha to the people. My devotion to the rudraksha and it powers is the sole motive behind this creation," Vyas said.

He further said that Dr Raj Ashok Shetty from the Limca Book of Records was also present to assess their claim for the record.

The shiva lingam will be available for view by public till March 4.

Rudraksha bead are obtained from a tree with botanical name Elaeocarpus Granitrus.

PTI

First Published: Monday, February 20, 2012, 00:29