Odisha’s spiritual heart pulsed with energy on Maha Shivratri, as lakhs of faithful poured into revered Shiva abodes on Sunday. The festival’s crescendo was the awe-inspiring Mahadipa atop temple peaks, witnessed by throngs late into the night.
Prominent sites including Bhubaneswar’s Lingaraj, Puri’s Lokanath, Dhenkanal’s Kapilash Chandrashekhara, and Cuttack’s Athagarh Dhabaleshwar buzzed with activity from sunrise. Devotees, adorned in rudraksha and vibhuti, braved long lines for sacred glimpses of the Jyotirlinga-like idols.
Numbers surged post-noon, with families and sadhus alike converging for the pinnacle ritual—the midnight installation of massive sacred flames. Temples glowed under garlands of jasmine and lotus, amplified by myriad diyas that devotees kindled with pure ghee.
The vibe was electric: rhythmic damaru beats, harmonious chants, and the aroma of prasad wafting everywhere. Throughout, worshippers upheld vrats, performing abhishekam and rudrabhishek with unwavering zeal.
Meticulous preparations by temple boards included shaded enclosures, free annadanam, and sanitized facilities. Law enforcement’s proactive measures, like drone restrictions, guaranteed safety amid the mammoth turnout.
At Lingaraj, the precisely timed 10 PM Mahadipa ceremony enthralled all, though fleeting priest-police standoffs at two temples caused short pauses in proceedings. Amicable settlements paved the way for flawless continuations.
Beyond the rituals, Maha Shivratri in Odisha fosters unity and introspection, a vibrant reminder of Lord Shiva’s eternal dance of creation and destruction in contemporary times.