Bhubaneswar, Feb 15 (NationPress) A massive turnout of devotees converged at Shiva temples throughout Odisha to seek the darshan of Lord Shiva and participate in the revered late-night ceremony of hoisting the Mahadeep (great lamp) atop the temple structures, in celebration of Maha Shivaratri on Sunday.

The state’s notable Shiva temples, such as the historic 11th-century Lingaraj Temple in Bhubaneswar, Loknath Temple in Puri, Chandrashekhar Temple at Kapilash in Dhenkanal, and the Dhabaleswar Temple in Athagarh, Cuttack district, experienced a significant influx of devotees from the early morning hours.

As the day unfolded, the number of devotees steadily swelled, with thousands gathering to witness the sacred late-night ceremony of raising the Mahadeep on temple rooftops and lighting traditional earthen lamps, integral to the observances of Maha Shivaratri.

The temples, adorned with vibrant flowers and illuminated by countless earthen lamps lit by the devotees, created a spiritually uplifting ambiance throughout the state.

Devotees, filled with religious enthusiasm, were observed chanting the holy names of Lord Shiva and engaging in prayers and rituals throughout the day and into the night across various temple grounds.

Temple officials implemented extensive measures to handle the large crowds and ensure a smooth and orderly darshan for visitors from different parts of the state and neighboring regions.

Robust security protocols were established at major temples across Odisha to facilitate a seamless and trouble-free darshan experience and to uphold law and order during the extensive religious gatherings.

At the Lingaraj Temple in Bhubaneswar, authorities announced the timing for the traditional Mahadeepa ceremony, which is regarded as the central highlight of the Maha Shivaratri festivities.

The esteemed Mahadeep was planned to be elevated and placed atop the temple’s peak around 10 p.m., drawing in large crowds of eager devotees wishing to witness this spiritually significant rite.

In light of the Maha Shivaratri celebrations, the Commissionerate Police previously declared restrictions on drone usage near the Lingaraj Temple to enhance security and crowd management.

Meanwhile, sacred rituals at the Chandrashekhar Temple in Kapilash and the Lingaraj Temple in Bhubaneswar faced minor delays during Maha Shivaratri after some temple servitors voiced concerns over alleged police overreach.

However, the situation was swiftly addressed, restoring normalcy through discussions between temple authorities, servitors, and local administration, allowing the rituals to continue smoothly.