The scenic hill range of Kapilash described as one among the five holy places of the State in the Kapila Samhita is warming up with religious fervour to celebrate the Maha Shivratri and Jagar Mela to be held on February 27.
lord Chandra Sekhar of Kapilash shrine is worshipped in strict adherence to a complex set of rituals with Sodasa Upachara Puja and Maha Rudra Abhiseka during the occasion. Traditional conch and Turi are blown during the puja while the women devotees give Hulahuli. The royal priest awakens the lord from his cosmic sleep and adorns him with Nagavarana Besha.
The lord Chandra Sekhar meets lord Narayan, which is known as the Hari Hara Bheta. The entire hill range of Kapilash gets illuminated as devotees observe penance by lighting up countless earthen lamps seeking the blessing of the lord.
History reveals that Ananga Bhima Dev of Ganga dynasty had observed penance before the lord at the Kapilash shrine to be expiated from a sin of having killed a Brahmin. The prince had first discovered a Shiva linga in the hill covered with Bel leafs. The prince at that time named the deity as lord Sikhareswar. later, King langula Narasingha Dev built the 60-foot high temple in 1246 at the middle of the hill range at an altitude of 457 meters and renamed the lord as Chandra Sekhar Jew.
Besides, the Kapilash hill range is famous for the existence of the “Entudisala” of Sita (labour room of Sita), the Kandupania cave, the Deba Sabha at the hilltop and also for a perennial streamlet. The idol of lord Narayan had been designed in such a way that a perennial spring looks to be flowing from a nail of his right foot.
Meanwhile, the district administration held a preparatory meeting at the Collectorate here for the smooth celebration of the Maha Shivratri and Jagar Mela at the famous Kapilash hilltop shrine.
Presiding over the meeting, district Collector Rupa Roshan Sahu directed all the concerned officials for maintenance of law and order, control of traffic, uninterrupted supply of power, drinking water and provision of health services. Royal priest Panchanan Mishra informed that the ceremonial Mahadeepa will be raised by the king at 3.50 am.