Puri: The district administration has emphasised upon effective coordination among the administration of Loknath temple, servitors and devotees for smooth conduct of Mahashivratri rituals at the shrine March 4.
This was revealed at a preparatory meeting presided over by Collector Jyotiprakash Das recently. Among others, superintendent of police (SP) Umashankar Dash, sub-collector Bhabtaran Sahu, city municipal executive officer Srikanta Tarai, chief district medical officer Sisir Kumar Rath, CESU executive engineer Shiba Prasad Swain were present in the meeting.
The SP has urged servitors of Loknath temple and devotees to maintain discipline during the Mahashivratri celebration.
As per proceedings of the meeting, the Pankoddhara ritual of the shrine would be held between 8 am and 11 am March 2. Devotees would be allowed to have darshan of Lord Loknath from 11 am to 10 pm March 2.
Similarly, devotees would be allowed to pay obeisance to the Lord starting from 2 am on the occasion of Mahashivratri March 4. The devotees can visit the shrine till the midnight. The priests are scheduled to offer the Mahadipa (a large earthen lamp) to Lord Loknath around 2 am March 5.
The district administration has decided to open a temporary health centre near the shrine on the occasion of Mahashivratri. “Two ambulances would be kept ready to meet any eventuality. There would be a few temporary tube wells to provide drinking water to the devotees. The administration may also draft a few water tankers. Officials have also been told to take stringent action against food adulteration during the fair,” said a source in the district administration.