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

India Counted 640 Million Votes In A Day, California Still Counting: Elon Musk Takes Jibe At US Poll Process

New York: Slamming the prolonged delays in some parts of United States, Elon Musk on…

November 24, 2024

17-Yr-Old Bangladeshi Girl ‘Trafficked’ To Odisha Rescued From Cuttack City

Cuttack: Madhupatana Police recently rescued a 17-year-old Bangladeshi girl, a suspected victim of trafficking and…

November 24, 2024

After Mahayuti’s Mahavijay, Who Will Be Maharashtra’s New CM? Here’s What Devendra Fadnavis & Eknath Shinde Said

Mumbai: With the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Shiv Sena and the NCP alliance emerging victorious in…

November 24, 2024

Driver Burnt Alive As Container Catches Fire Near Laxmannath Toll Plaza In Odisha

Balasore: The driver of a container truck was charred to death after the vehicle caught…

November 24, 2024

80 Arrested In Massive Crackdown On Illegal Gambling In Odisha’s Nuapada

Nuapada: At least 80 people were arrested during a massive crackdown on illegal gambling activities…

November 24, 2024

IAS Reshuffle In Odisha: Sudhansu Samal Appointed OMC MD, Yamini Sarangi As Commercial Taxes & GST Commissioner

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has transferred Special Secretary, Planning and Convergence, Chitra Arumugam and posted…

November 24, 2024

Clash Erupts In Uttar Pradesh’s Sambhal During Official Survey Of Mosque Following Court Order

Sambhal: A violent clash erupted in Uttar Pradesh’s Sambhal on Sunday after a group opposed…

November 24, 2024

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