Bhubaneswar: Elaborate arrangements are being made for celebration of Maha Shivratri at Shree Lingaraj Temple in Bhubaneswar.
Speaking to the media, Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan on Monday stressed meticulous preparations for smooth conduct of the festival, allowing devotees to perform their prayers without any hindrance. “A network of CCTV cameras has been installed at the shrine for the safety of devotees. Efforts are being made to provide those waiting in queues with water. Proper planning is being made for entry of devotees, those with VIP passes and sevayats’ families into the temple,” he said.
The minister said discussions are on with different Nijog and with their cooperation, the ‘mahadeepa’ will be lifted atop the shrine by 10 pm as scheduled.
A large number of devotees are expected to throng the 11th-century shrine on the auspicious occasion on February 26.
Earlier, the servitors had assured to complete the ritual on time this year for timely lifting of the ‘mahadeepa’ when devotees will break their day-long fast.
On the day, the temple gates will be opened at 2.30 am and after ‘mangala alati’ and ‘abakas’, Sahana Mela darshan of the presiding deity will be allowed to the public from 3.30 am to 11 am. After another set of rituals like ‘maha snana besha’, ‘surya puja’ and ‘bhoga mandap’, devotees will be allowed into the sanctum sanctorum to offer prayers from 3.45 pm to 4.45 pm.
Subsequently, mahadeepa’ will be raised atop the temple at 10 pm and ‘Sahana Mela’ will continue till 11 pm.
Devotional programme at Ekamra Kshetra
Meanwhile, Ekamra Sanskrutika Prakashani, a cultural outfit, has planned a series of events on the occasion.
Anuradha Paudwal and Usha Uthup have been invited to perform at a devotional song programme, besides several other popular singers like Kumar Sanjay, Abhijeet Ghoshal, Madhusmita Paul and Manmath Mishra.
The outfit will also organise Ram Charita Manas, Veda Patha, Shiv Sahasra Nama and Bhagwat Geeta Patha on the occasion of Maha Shivratri at Ekamra Kshetra, said outfit’s president and former minister Suresh Kumar Routray.
Ekamrashri Samman will be conferred on 21 people for their achievements in various fields of life, he added.
