JEYPORE/RAYAGADA: Lakhs of people from within the State and neighbouring Chhattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh thronged Shaivite temples in Koraput and Rayagada districts on Monday on the occasion of Maha Shivaratri.
The cave temple of Gupteswar, situated atop a hill, was opened for rituals early in the morning. After taking bath in the river Sabari, also known as Pataliganga, devotees offered prayers in the cave temple, situated at a height of 1,000 metres. The Shiva Linga here is eight-ft high.
After a holy bath and 'Mangalarati' of Lord Gupteswar, devotees were allowed 'darshan' that continued till late night.
People made a beeline near the river Sabari for tonsuring their heads to appease Lord Shiva. A Shivaratri Mela is also being organised by tribals outside the temple where they are selling non-timber forest products and also showcasing their culture.
Elaborate security arrangements were made by the security personnel in wake of Maoist threat. No untoward incident was reported.
In Rayagada, a beeline of devotees was witnessed at Devagiri hill under Kalyansinghpur, Paikapada Pataleswra temple under Kolnara block, Chatikona under Bissamcuttack and Minajhola Shiva temple that is located on the border of Gudari and Chandanpur blocks. At Minajhola, Lord Shiva is worshipped in the shape of a fish and the temple is located on the confluence of Bansadhara, Phalaphalia and Chauladhua.
Special arrangements were made at Devagiri for smooth conduct of rituals and public 'darshan'. Devagiri, located 50 km away from Rayagada town, is a hill with a cave temple of Lord Neelakantheswar on the top. The temple can be approached by climbing 476 steps and atop the hill, there are five perennial poles of water called Ganga, Yamuna, Saraswati, Bhargavi and Indradyumna. The entrance of the cave looks like two jaws and the Shiva Linga is located at the meeting point of the jaws.
Similarly, thousands of people offered prayers at Paikpada, which is famous for the 9th century Pataleshwar Shiva temple. It is believed that there are 99,99,999 Shiva Lingas (only one less than one crore) in and around the temple.
Elaborate arrangements were made to prevent any untoward incidents at these sites.
Mahendragiri Gathering
Parlakhemundi: Devotees from various parts of the State and Andhra Pradesh visited the Gokarneswar Shiva temple, located atop the Mahendragiri hills in Gajapati district. The Mahendragiri peak of Eastern Ghats is located 4,976 ft from the sea level and it is believed that during 'Dwapara Yug', Devi Kunti and her five sons stayed here for sometime during their exile. Bhima used to worship Lord Shiva here. Gajapati SP, Satyajit Nayak oversaw the security arranagments atop the hill.