Odisha Culture / Second Monday of Holy Shravan Month Draws Massive Crowds At Shiva Shrines Across Odisha

Bhubaneswar, Aug 10: Thousands of devotees thronged major Shiva shrines across Odisha today as the second Monday of the holy month of Shravan drew large crowds of Kanwariyas carrying water from various sources for Jalabhishek and offering prayers to Lord Shiva.

Long Queues At Lingaraj
At the Lingaraj Temple in Bhubaneswar, thousands of Kanwariyas stood in long queues to offer water to Lord Lingaraj. Devotees carrying water from distant places arrived at the temple as part of their religious observances and to fulfil their vows.


Temple and police authorities installed barricades to regulate the movement of devotees amid the large gathering. Kanwariyas were allowed to enter the temple in an orderly manner for Jalabhishek, while the morning rituals of Lord Lingaraj continued as scheduled.

Dhabaleswar Sees Large Turnout
The Dhabaleswar shrine in Kataka's Athagada also witnessed a large gathering of Kanwariyas.

The temple doors opened at around 1 am, after which the rituals were performed and Jalabhishek began at 1:45 am. Lord Dhabaleswar appeared in the Bada Shringaar Mahakal Besha on Monday.


Devotees carrying water from Gadagadia and other places arrived on foot to fulfil their vows. Around 15,000 to 20,000 Kanwariyas were reported to have gathered at the shrine.

Kataka district administration put up barricades and arranged temporary toilets for devotees, particularly in view of the high water level in the Mahanadi.

Heavy Rush at Puri's Loknath Temple
The Loknath Temple in Puri also witnessed a heavy rush of devotees.

The temple doors opened at 12:30 am, followed by Mangal Alati and other rituals. Jalabhishek began at 1 am and was scheduled to continue until around 2 pm.


Special arrangements were made for Kanwariyas and other devotees, including barricades and a separate passage for Jalabhishek. A Rs 30 ticket facility was also available.

Around 12 platoons of police personnel were deployed, along with dedicated fire and ambulance teams.

Over 40,000 Kanwariyas Expected at Akhandalamani
At the Akhandalamani shrine in Aradi, Bhadrak, more than 40,000 Kanwariyas were expected to gather.

The administration put in place a three-tier security arrangement and made special provisions at three river ghats -- Muan, Tinitara and Dhanakhia -- for devotees travelling by motorised boats across the Baitarani and Salandi rivers.

Life jackets and tubes were kept available, while three ODRAF teams and Fire Services personnel remained deployed along the river routes.


The arrangements assumed added significance as floodwater was flowing through the rivers and crocodiles had also been reported in the river system earlier.

Separate traffic arrangements were made on land routes. Bhadrak SP Manoj Kumar Rout, along with an additional SP, six DSPs, 25 police officers and 12 platoons of police personnel, was deployed at the shrine.

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Jalabhishek had begun on Sunday evening. After the temple doors opened at 4 am on Monday, Mangal Alati, Mahasnana and other rituals were performed.

Gupteswar Shrine Draws Devotees

The Gupteswar Shiva shrine in Boipariguda of Koraput district also witnessed a large gathering of Kanwariyas.


Devotees from Odisha and neighbouring states arrived carrying water for Jalabhishek. Long queues were seen outside the shrine, with police personnel regulating the movement of devotees and allowing them to approach the sanctum one by one.