New Delhi 

Tattoo artist Faraz Javed of Kanpur, a city in Uttar Pradesh, is offering to make tattoos of Lord Shiva for the devotees during the pious month of Sawan for free.

According to media reports, he has pledged to make 51,000 Lord Shiva tattoos during the month during which the Hindus worship and do the sadhna of Shiva.

Faraz Javed's offer is akin to his similar campaign on Lord Ram during the opening of the grand temple of Lord Ram in Ayodhya in February. He made headlines in newspapers as he tattooed the slogan of Jai Shri Ram (Hail Ram) on the hands of 51,000 people for free.

Faraz owns a shop in the Naveen Market, the heart of the city of Kanpur. No wonder his shop is always full of people wanting a tattoo to be embossed on their body.

His offer is cementing the bonds between Hindus and Muslims, the largest religious denominations of India.

Design of Tattoos

Javed is working on his altruistic mission unmindful of the 'controversy' on the compulsory display of names on food stalls, a move which has been temporarily banned by the Supreme Court, and yet people are following it on the route of the Kanwar pilgrimage.

Faraz Javed told the media that everyone should do whatever is possible to show support to others.

Faraz offers designs of Lord Shiva's image, Shivling, and Om Namah Shivay to offer for free during the month.

When asked about the cost, Faraz, 30, an MBA graduate, says a tattoo costs around Rs 1400-1500. A quick, simple calculation puts the total cost of his charity at over Rs 7.5 crore. That's the same as his charity during the Ram Mandir's consecration ceremony earlier this year. "It's not a small cost. But God guides me to it," he says.

Faraz Javed making a tattoo

Being an artist, Faraz says he respects all faiths and religious beliefs. Faraz said that there is no better option than this to express his faith through his art.

Faraz has been doing tattoo work for the last 14 years. He offers free tattoo service from 2 to 8 pm.

Faraz says that there are no side effects of getting a tattoo. He says he uses the latest technology to make safe tattoos. "We use fresh needles for every tattoo for health reasons," he said.

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His shop is brimming with kanwariyas, youth, and others for free tattoos. He mixes service to his regular customers with the free service, the youth men often want the tattoos of Lord Shiva on their arms and wrists.