The Shiva temples across the State wore a festive look on Thursday on the auspicious occasion of the Maha Shivratri. The rush of the devotees began early on Thursday morning for a darshan of the lord.

In the State capital, the devotees stood on long queues to enter into the sanctum sanctorum of the 11th century lingaraj Temple for the sahanamela darshan which began at 4 am after the servitors performed the rituals at 3 am.

To ensure smooth movement of the devotees, barricades were put from Singhadwara up to the Aruna Stambha at the main temple. As decided, the Mahadeepa was raised at 10 pm. A scintillating Bhajan programme was held on the occasion in which a galaxy of artistes, including Hindi singer Kumar Sanu performed.  

Elaborate security arrangements were put in place by the Commissionerate Police in and around the temple premises. A total of 16 CCTV cameras were installed to keep watch on anti-social elements as well as to keep a tab on the crowd movement. Besides, 25 platoons of armed police forces, 70 senior police officers and plain-clothed policemen were deployed around the temple.

“To avoid traffic congestion during the festivity, police had sealed major roads leading to the temple at Dakabangala Chhak, Kharakhia Chhak, Tinimundia Chhak, Kedaragouri Chhak and Electricity Office Chhak since Wednesday midnight,” said Commissioner of Police Dr Rajendra Prasad Sharma.

Reports reaching from major Shiva shrines in the State said the rituals of the lord were conducted smoothly and the Mahadeepas were raised as per the schedule. Thousands of devotees thronged Kapilash, Aradi, Gupteswar, Dhabaleswar and other major Shiva shrines in the State to observe penance and witness the Mahadeep being raised atop the shrines.