City

Servitors Oppose BMC Restrictions On Shivratri At Lingaraj Temple In Bhubaneswar; Know SRC Guidelines

By
OB Bureau

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.

OB Bureau

Recent Posts

Hina Khan Shares Warm Post For ‘Humble And Kind’ Salman Khan

Mumbai: Television actress Hina Khan, who is battling breast cancer, recently met host Salman Khan…

November 23, 2024

AR Rahman Sends Legal Notice To Defamers Over Link-Up Rumours With Mohini Dey

 Mumbai: Following reports of his alleged link-up with bassist Mohini Dey, renowned music composer AR…

November 23, 2024

Tamannah Bhatia & Vijay Varma Go House Hunting; Is Marriage On Cards?

Mumbai: The love story of actors Tamannaah Bhatia and Vijay Varma has not been clandestine.…

November 23, 2024

Puri Jagannath Temple Admn Receives Ratna Bhandar GPR-GPS Survey Report; Asks ASI To Start Repair Work

Puri: Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) has received the report of the Ratna Bhandar’s GPR-GPS…

November 23, 2024

Book Review: A Redemptive Tale Of Losing And Finding

With his debut novel ‘The Other Side of the Rainbow’ published recently, Niranjan Nayak, an…

November 23, 2024

Santosh Trophy: Odisha Seal Spot In Final Round With 2 Big Wins

Bhubaneswar: Odisha outplayed Chhattisgarh 4-1 on Saturday to seal a berth in the final round…

November 23, 2024

Diljit Dosanjh Asks States To Go Dry; ‘I Will Then Stop Singing Songs On Alcohol’

Mumbai: The Telangana government’s notice barring him from singing songs promoting alcohol and drugs at…

November 23, 2024

PM Modi To Participate In ‘Odisha Parba 2024’ In Delhi Tomorrow

Bhubaneswar: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will participate in the ‘Odisha Parba 2024’ programme on Sunday…

November 23, 2024