Bhubaneswar: A high-level coordination committee meeting for the smooth conduct of the annual Maha Shivaratri (Jagara Jatra) of Lord Lingaraj Mahaprabhu was held at the Circuit House here on Friday. The meeting was chaired by Khordha District Collector Amrit Ruturaj.
The meeting was attended by Bhubaneswar-Ekamra MLA Babu Singh, Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) Mayor Sulochana Das, temple sevayats, representatives of the temple administration, officials from various departments, and members of voluntary organizations.
At the outset, Additional District Magistrate (ADM) Bhubaneswar Ramesh Chandra Jena welcomed the participants and outlined the agenda for the coordination meeting. It was informed that Jagara will be observed on February 15, 2026, and the Lingaraj Temple will open at 3:00 AM on that day for the performance of prescribed rituals (niti). The cooperation of the concerned sevayats was sought to ensure that all rituals are completed within the stipulated timeframe.
The Archaeological Department has been entrusted with responsibilities related to barricading and beautification inside the temple premises to facilitate smooth darshan for devotees.
Meanwhile, the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) has been assigned multiple civic responsibilities, including illumination of areas surrounding the temple, cleaning of Mauni Ghat, operation of primary health centres, deployment of ambulances, installation of signages, and construction of temporary toilets.
The meeting also deliberated on a wide range of arrangements such as construction of sheds for devotees, electricity supply, drinking water facilities, police deployment, traffic regulation, law and order management, fire safety measures, information centres, sanitation and hygiene, quick relief centres, and deployment of Red Cross volunteers and other voluntary organisations.
Addressing the gathering, both MLA Babu Singh and Mayor Sulochana Das appealed to all stakeholders to ensure that the Jagara Yatra is celebrated with grandeur while maintaining peace, discipline, and devotion. They also offered suggestions to improve facilities for devotees.
District Collector Amrit Ruturaj directed all departments and agencies to discharge their assigned responsibilities efficiently and ensure seamless coordination for the successful conduct of the festival.
Among others present at the meeting were Bhubaneswar Sub-Collector Manoranjan Sahu, senior departmental officers, and employees from various niyogs associated with temple services.
