Puri: With Lokanth Temple in Odisha’s Puri town expecting footfall of lakhs of devotees to offer puja on the occasion of Maha Shivratri, elaborate arrangements have been made for smooth conduct of the celebration.
As per the programme of the rituals of the deity on Shivratri, the main gate of Loknath temple was opened at 12.30 am on Saturday. Then followed the rituals starting with Mangal Arati at 1 am. It was followed by Gopalaballav, Sakala Dhupa and puja in the afternoon and evening.
It has been decided by the local administration along with the temple management that the devotees will be allowed to offer puja to the deity from 5 am on Saturday to 2 am on Sunday. The darshan of the deity will be stopped for the devotees from 2 am to 4 am. The Mahadeep will be lifted atop the temple at 4 am.
Earlier, the servitors of the temple, members of the temple management and local administration had decided at a meeting to complete all the rituals as per schedule without delay.
In order to ensure hassle-free and smooth darshan, the devotees are allowed to enter the temple through Lions’ Gate and exit from the main gate. The administration has made ticket arrangement for special darshan on the occasion. While the ticket coasts Rs 100 per person, total 4,000 devotees can purchase it for the day.
For the convenience of the devotees coming from outside the Pilgrim Town, arrangements have been made for drinking water supply, sanitation facilities, emergency medical services and traffic management. To ensure security of the visitors, 15 platoons of police, 82 home guards, 72 constables, 41 sub-inspectors and 16 inspectors have been deployed under the supervision of 2 additional SPs, and 5 DSPs.
The police have been directed to check the bags and purses of the devotees before allowing them inside the temple. Besides, police in civil clothes have been deputed to keep an eye on the anti-social elements.
Loknath temple is considered one of the major Shiva shrines in the country. As per legend, Lord Ram had set up the temple during his banishment in forest. It is believed that offering puja to Lord Shiva in the temple on Shivratri leads to purification of all sins and fulfils the wishes of the devotees.
