Bhubaneswar: The Lingaraj Temple in Bhubaneswar is all decked up with flowers and illuminations for Maha Shivratri.
The entrance to the 12th-century shrine has been lit up with decorative lights and so also the trees in front of the temple premises. Singha Dwara (Lion Gate) has been decorated with colourful flowers brought from Kolkata.
A fresh coat of paint has added sheen to the festivities.
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Meanwhile, the Khurda administration has decided to allow 500 devotees to light the holy lamp (jagara) in the temple. The temple administration has been directed to ensure social distancing among the devotees on the premises.
“Outside the temple, any number of devotees can light lamps and witness the jagara ritual at midnight,” said Khurda collector Sanat Kumar Mohanty.
The devotees will not be allowed inside the sanctum sanctorum for offering puja on the day, but they can get darshan of the deity from Ada Katha (area outside the sanctum sanctorum)
Squads of Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) and 35 platoons of city police will be deployed to maintain law and order.
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To avoid large crowds in view of the COVID-19 pandemic, the BMC has restricted fairs and congregation of vendors in and around the shrine.
The ‘Mahadeepa’ will be lifted atop the temple at 10 pm. The use of mask is mandatory for both sevayats and devotees.
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