Bhubaneswar: Mahadeepa will be raised atop the Lingaraj temple at 10 PM on Mahasivaratri which falls on March 1, informed Khordha Collector Sangram Keshari Mohapatra.
Mohapatra told that the time table for the conduct of the rituals of Mahasivaratri were finalized at the meeting of the co-ordination committee held today.
According to the decision taken at the meeting devotees can light deepas (wicker lamps) inside the temple premises with strict adherence to Covid restrictions.
However, devotees will not be allowed into the temple’s garbha gruha (sanctum sanctorum). Stress will be laid on preventing crowd.
On Sivaratri the abakasa niti of Lord Lingaraj will be held between 3-3.30 AM. While family members of sevayats (temple servitors) will be allowed to darshan of the Lord upto 5 AM, devotees will be allowed for darshan after 5 AM.