Maha Shivratri: Rituals Delayed At Lingaraj Temple In Bhubaneswar; Mahadeepa Time Unchanged, Say Officials

Photograph: Ashok Panda

Bhubaneswar: Even as thousands of devotees thronged Lingaraj temple in Bhubaneswar to offer puja on the occasion of Maha Shivratri on Friday, the rituals were delayed for some time.

As per schedule of the rituals for the festival, ‘Mangala Alati’ and ‘Abakasha’ of Lord Lingaraj were performed between 3 am to 3.30 am. The temple’s main doors were opened for the devotees to have ‘Sahanamela Darshan’ of the deity till 12 pm.

It was followed by ‘Mahasnana’ and ‘Besha’ rituals till 12.45 pm. Thereafter, ‘Surya Puja’, ‘Dwarapala Puja’, and ‘Sakala Dhupa’ rituals were performed between 12.45 pm and 2.30 pm.

Following this, ‘Bhoga Mandapa’ ritual was started at around 3 pm. But it was delayed for nearly 15 minutes for the reasons not disclosed by the temple administration. It led the administration to stop Sahanamela Darshan.

However, the officials of the temple administration said other rituals after ‘Bhoga Mandap’ were performed in time and the Mahadeepa will be lifted atop the temple as per schedule between 10 pm and 10.30 pm.

Meanwhile, the devotees continued to throng one of the oldest Shiva temples in large number and lighted lamps while observing fast on the occasion. The Twin City Commissionerate Police has made elaborate security arrangements for smooth celebration of the festival in Lingaraj temple.