Maha Shivratri: Odisha govt holds high-level review meeting for Jagara Jatra at Lingaraj Temple

A high-level meeting was held in Bhubaneswar on Monday to review preparations for the Jagara Jatra at the historic Lingaraj Temple, ahead of the upcoming Maha Shivratri festival.

The meeting took place at the conference hall of the Law Department in Lok Seva Bhavan and was chaired by Odisha Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan. Senior officials from multiple departments participated in the review, underscoring the importance of ensuring the smooth and lawful conduct of the festival.

Among those present were the Bhubaneswar Mayor, the MLA of Ekamra constituency, representatives of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), and senior officials from the Endowment Department. The meeting focused on key aspects, including legal compliance, temple development works, crowd management, and coordination among various agencies for the Jagara Jatra procession.

Officials said special emphasis was placed on maintaining peace and order during the festival and ensuring that all rituals are performed strictly in accordance with established rules, traditions, and court guidelines. Authorities noted that the Jagara Jatra could not be held last year due to unforeseen circumstances, prompting the administration to take additional precautions this time to avoid any disruption.

Sources said the meeting clearly stressed that all rituals and processions must adhere to prescribed procedures, and no deviation would be permitted before the ceremonial lifting of the sacred lamp (diya), which marks a crucial phase of the Jagara Jatra.

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This was the second high-level meeting convened to review Jagara Jatra preparations. While the first meeting focused primarily on safety arrangements and procession planning, the latest review assessed whether temple servitors and stakeholders are complying with the agreed protocols.

Officials said further coordination meetings may be held as the festival approaches to ensure seamless execution of the religious event.