Bhubaneswar: Maha Shivaratri is being celebrated across Odisha with great enthusiasm and religious fervour.
The devotees are offering their prayers at major Shiva temples in the State.
Massive gathering of devotees were seen at major Shiva temples such as Dhabaleswar, Kapilash, Lokanath and Gupteswar.
In Bhubaneswar, sea of devotees thronged to Lingaraj Temple to offered prayers to Lord Shiva on this auspicious occasion.
The Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation and the Commissionerate Police have made adequate arrangements for the smooth celebration of the festival.
The ‘Mangala Alati’ and ‘Abakasha’ rituals of Lord Lingaraj were held between 3 am to 3.30 am on Friday. Other rituals of the deity were also conducted at Lingaraj temple.
As per reports, the ‘Mahadeepa’ will be taken atop the famous shrine at 10 pm.
It is worth noting that the devotees keep a fast and break their fast when the holy Mahadeep is taken to the top of the temple at night.
Earlier this morning, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has greeted the people on this auspicious occasion and prayed for peace and prosperity of the State.