Bhubaneswar: Thousands of devotees broke their daylong fast after Mahadeepa, the sacred lamp, was lifted atop Lingaraj Temple in Bhubaneswar at around 8.40 pm on Sunday.
The ritual, accompanied by resounding chants of “Om Namah Shivaya” and “Har Har Mahadev”, marked the culmination of Maha Shivratri celebrations at the 11th-century shrine. The early lighting of the Mahadeepa, nearly an hour and a half ahead of the scheduled 10 pm, brought waves of joy among the devotees, who had gathered in large numbers.
Despite minor tensions resolved swiftly earlier in the day, the evening proceeded smoothly under enhanced security and crowd management by the authorities. Steps were taken to ensure smooth and timely lifting of the Mahadeepa with a particular number of servitors only permitted to climb a
top the shrine.
In the wake of last year’s mishap when several devotees were injured amid heavy overcrowding near the south gate, the administration had allowed for one-way entry and exit inside the premises, which echoed with the rhythmic beats of the damru and traditional prayers all through the day. The number of one-time entry passes with QR code for special entry into the sanctum sanctorum for the festival was also capped at 1,500 this year.
Devotees lit lamps offering their reverence after dusk during which Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi also visited the temple to seek blessings of Lord Shiva.
According to legends, Lord Shiva wed his divine consort Maa Shakti (in her form as Parvati) for the second time on this sacred night. This celestial marriage is commemorated as “The Night of Lord Shiva”. Lord Shiva embodies Purusha (pure consciousness or awareness), while Maa Parvati represents Prakriti (nature or primal energy). Their union symbolises the harmonious fusion of consciousness and energy, essential for creation.
Devotees of Lord Shiva observe a fast and conduct special pujas in temples on this auspicious occasion. They offer milk to the Shivlinga and pray for Moksha.