Bhubaneswar: The Commissionerate Police have made elaborate arrangements for smooth conduct of Mahashivratri at Lingaraj Temple in Bhubaneswar, slated for February 21.
Police Commissioner Sudhanshu Sarangi listed out the arrangements at a high-level preparatory meeting here last night.
—Devotees will enter the temple through the Simhadwara (main gate).
—Sevayats and their family members will enter the temple through the north gate (Uttaradwara).
—Devotees will be allowed to light earthen lamps alongside the two roads near the temple.
—Temporary police control room and the information centre will be set up on the left side of the temple’s main gate.
—32 CCTV cameras will be put up in and outside the temple and plain-clothed policemen deployed.
—10 places have been identified on the temple periphery for parking of vehicles.
—Vehicles will not be allowed to pass through Badheibanka Chhak, Garage Chhak, Subhadra Mahtab High School, Mausi Maa Chhak, Kedaragouri Chhak, Kharakhia Baidyanath Chhak as the road leading to the temple will be sealed at the New Lingaraj Market.
The Police Commissioner said that a detailed traffic advisory will be issued on Tuesday.
Among others, DCP Anup Sahoo, Traffic DCP Sagarika Nath, Jatni MLA Suresh Routray and senior sevayats of the temple were present at the meeting.
The Brahmana Nijog Samiti, which not attend the meeting, demanded immediate shifting of the temple executive officer and restoration of some rituals of the temple. The Samiti, however, assured the temple administration of timely conduct of the rituals of the Lord.