In Pics: Maha Dipa Lifted Atop Famous Shiva Shrines Across Odisha

Bhubaneswar: Most parts of Odisha witnessed religious fervour where a large number of devotees celebrated the grand night of Lord Shiva, the Maha Shivratri on Thursday amid Covid-19 restrictions.

Devotees in Odisha broke their Maha Shivratri fast after the Maha Dipa was raised atop several temples across the State. Devotees broke their day-long fast after witnessing the raising of the Maha Dipa atop the temples.

Important Shiva shrines such as Lingaraj temple in the Capital City, Loknath temple in Puri, Gorakhnath temple in Jagatsinghapur, Huma temple in Sambalpur, Panchalingeswar temple in Balasore and Gupteswar temple in Koraput attracted a large number of devotees to offer prayer to Lord Shiva.

Section 144 had been implemented in Baba Akhandalmani Pitha in Bhadrak and Dhabaleswar Pitha in Cuttack to restrict huge congregation of people. Devotees were deprived of darshans at these shrines. However, the Jagara Yatra rituals were observed at these shrines sans devotees.