Like all religious festivals, the corona pandemic had impacted the annual Maha Sivaratri Festival atop the Mahendragiri Hills in Gajapati district where about one lakh devotees use to congregate on this day.
This year, the district administration has taken a decision not to allow devotees to enter Mahendragiri. All connecting roads to Mahendragiri will be sealed for the safety of public. Only priests will be allowed to perform puja and annual rituals.