Maha Shivratri: Mahadeepa to be placed atop Lingaraj Temple at 10 PM; Devotees visit shrine amid COVID norms

Bhubaneswar: Devotees in large numbers visited the Lingaraj Temple in Odisha capital today on the occasion of Maha Shivratri amid COVID restrictions.

The temple committee has decided that the Mahadeepa will be placed atop the temple at 10 PM. Placing of Mahadeepa atop the Lingaraj Temple is a significant ritual of Maha Shivratri as devotees break their fast after it.

The Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) has issued a set of guidelines for celebration of the festival at the Lingaraj Temple in the city.

As per the guidelines, the concerned servitors of the temple shall perform rituals of the deity by observing COVID appropriate behavior like wearing of mask and social distancing.

Devotees will be allowed for the darshan of Lord Lingaraj from Singhadwara to Aada Katha on the occasion. There will be no puja during darshan of Lord Lingaraj near Aada Katha by the devotees.

The devotees shall have to maintain social distance at all times during the event.

The temple authorities shall ensure that only that many devotees are allowed inside the temple premises so that social distancing of 6 feet is maintained at all times.

All the devotees shall have to wear masks appropriately at all times during the occasion. Provision of hand washing/ hand sanitizer for the devotees will be ensured by the temple authorities.

Spitting inside and outside the temple premises and chewing of pan/ gutkha has been strictly prohibited.

Those with SARI/ ILI like symptoms shall not be allowed to the temple. Other vulnerable group of people such as persons with co-morbidities, elderly persons, pregnant women and children below 12 years of age have been advised to avoid the event.

Any kind of mela/ congregation of temporary vendors which will cause gathering has been prohibited outside the temple premises to avoid crowding.

Also read– Traffic Restrictions In Bhubaneswar For Maha Shivratri; Check Details.