Lakhs of devotees thronged Lord Shiva temples across Odisha on the occasion of Maha Shivratri on Friday.
The major Shiva temples witnessed huge influxes of Shaivites, who made beelines to have darshan of the deity on the auspicious day.
Special arrangements were made at Lingaraj Temple in Bhubaneswar, the Dhabaleswar Temple in Cuttack, Akhandalamani Temple in Bhadrak, Kapilash in Dhenkanal, Ladu Baba Temple in Nayagarh, Lokanath Temple in Puri and other such temples for the devotees.
According to the decision of the Shree Lingaraj Temple Administration, the Mahadeepa was lifted atop the temple at 10 pm followed by the Sahanamela and Chariprahara rituals.
Maha Shivratri is celebrated on the Chaturdashi Tithi of the Krishna Paksha in the month of Falgun. Observers of Maha Shivratri Vrat resort to fasting on this day and take food next day. They consume fruits and milk during the fast.