Bhubaneswar: On the occasion of Maha Shivratri on March 8, Mahadipa has been scheduled to be placed atop the Lingaraj Temple in Odisha capital at 10 pm.

Authorities of the temple have also finalized the timing for other rituals of the day. As per the schedule, the Mangala Alati and Abakash rituals of Lord Lingaraj would be performed between 3 am and 3.30 am on March 8.

Sahanamela Darshan for the devotees will begin at 3.30 am and continue till 11 am.

The Mahasnana and Besa rituals of the presiding deity are scheduled to be held between 12 noon and 12.45 pm while Sakala Dhoopa ritual would be performed at 2.30 pm.

The Sahanamela Darshan for the devotees will resume at 3.45 pm in the afternoon and continue till 3.45 pm. Dwiprahara Dhoopa of Lord Lingaraj is scheduled to be held between 5.45 pm and 7 pm.

The Pahuda ritual will be held at 7 pm and Sandhya Alati at 7.30 pm.

The priests of the shrine would lift the Mahadipa atop the temple at 10 pm after the completion of Sandhya Dhoopa ritual.

The devotees would be allowed to visit the 11th century shrine as part of Sahana Mela Darshan from 10 pm to 11 pm.

The Badasinghar and Pahuda ritual of Lord Lingaraj would be held at 4.30 am on March 9 soon after the completion of Harihar Bheta ritual.