Bhubaneswar: A day after the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) issued guidelines for Maha Shivratri on March 1, the Sevayats (servitors) of Lingaraj temple objected the restrictions on the devotees for offering puja inside the temple.
The servitors belonging to the Brahman Nijog and Pujapanda Nijog raised the objection at a coordination meeting on the festival held at the Lingaraj Temple office. They demanded that the devotees should be allowed to light lamps and offer puja on the temple premises.
The BMC, in its guidelines issued on Friday, stated that Sahan Mela and darshan in Garvagruha (sanctum sanctorum) for the devotees will not be allowed on the Shivratri. They can have darshan of Lord Lingaraj at Aada Katha but cannot perform puja there.
The servitors demanded the BMC withdraw the restrictions and allow the devotees to perform puja at Aada Katha on the Shivratri.
The meeting discussed other arrangements for the festival including security and facilities for the devotees. Police commissioner Saumendra Priyadarshi reviewed the security, traffic arrangements and steps taken for maintaining law and order.
Meanwhile, the Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) has issued directions to the district collectors and municipal commissioners on enforcing COVID guidelines during Shivratri celebrations.
The SRC has stated that while allowing celebration of the festival, the officials should restrict congregations to such number as may be felt appropriate in view of the prevailing pandemic situation.
The entry to the temples and gathering outside can be allowed by strictly adhering to the COVID safety protocols like wearing face masks, physical distancing and hand sanitising. Besides, mela and congregations around the temples may be restricted.
