The state khadi board has introduced specially designed garments for Shiva devotees Kanwarias who are seen rushing to Pahari temple and Baidyanathdham at Deoghar to offer water to Lord Shiva on the first Monday of the holy month of Shravan.

Shiva devotees who are usually dressed in saffron kurta and sarees, the dress code for the new generation kanwarias has undergone a sea change as now they are seen doning T-shirts and salwar suits which have replaced sarees and long single-piece kurtas.

Khadi board chairman Sanjay Seth said that they have come up with designer bags, kurtis, patiala salwar suits, Nehru jackets all in saffron colours. These have been designed by artists from Hariharganj who have used cotton threads to make kanwarais feel comfortable in the garments. They are also offering 25% discount on all items.

Seth said that they have opened another outlet at R Mishra college premises in Deoghar. Earlier saffron coloured garments were brought from Manglahaat in Kolkata. But, responding to the growing demands of the devotees, the kanwarias especially the youngsters, they have launched a new range of garments and apparels.