Odisha: Mahadipa Lifted Atop Lingaraj Temple, Devotees Break Maha Shivratri Fast

Bhubaneswar: Devotees in Odisha broke their Maha Shivratri fast after the Mahadipa was raised atop Lingaraj temple ahead of the scheduled time (10 PM) on Thursday.

Devotees broke their day-long fast after witnessing the raising of the Mahadipa atop the temple.

The Jagara Jatra was celebrated across Shiva shrines in Odisha amid strict Covid-19 restrictions. Earlier in the day, devotees thronged famous Shiva temples like Lord Lingaraj temple in Bhubaneswar, Lokanath temple in Puri under strict Covid protocols while pandemic restrictions were enforced at many other shrines in the State.

Section 144 has 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.

Outstation devotees were restricted to visit Kapilash in Dhenkanal on the occasion of the holy festival. Devotees, who belong to the district were allowed to enter the temple by producing Covid-19 negative reports.

(Edited By Pradeep Singh)