Sandeep Dwivedy
Post News Network
Cuttack, Feb 17: Chants of ‘Har Har Mahadev’ filled the air in Shiv temples across the silver city and the district on the occasion of Maha Shivratri Tuesday.
Massive crowds gathered at the Dhabaleswar Temple in Athgarh since early morning. Hotel owners near Link Road said all of their rooms were booked to capacity by devotees from far-flung areas of the state.
“The devotees will stay up through the night at Dhabaleswar temple and will return only in the morning after the Mahadipa,” said Prabal Moharana, a hotel owner.
Most devotees came from Jajpur and Sundargarh. Thousands of devotees were waiting near the temples to witness the Mahadipa that will be lifted at 1 am.
“We have been fasting since morning. It is a day of penance and spiritualism,” said Subhash Panigrahi, a resident of CDA. Some youngsters too opted to fast on the day. “As the examinations are approaching, I need the blessings of the Lord to perform to the best of my capabilities and tide tide through any unforeseen crisis,” said Sahadev Behera, who will appear for the HSC examination later this month.
The district administration put in place elaborate arrangements to ensure a smooth darshan for the devotees. Barricades were erected around Lord Shiva shrines in the district to ensure there was no disruption in the entry of devotees inside temples.