NAYAGARH : More than a lakh devotees thronged the famous Shaiva seat Sarankul, 12 km from here, to get a ‘darshan’ of Ladukeshwar, popularly known as Ladubaba on Maha Shivaratri.
Serpentine queues were witnessed from early hours in front of the temple and the police had made elaborate arrangements for smooth passage of the festival, known as Jagar Yatra which will continue for a week.
The convex-surfaced Shivalinga here is both Hari and Hara where Tulsi and Bael leaves are offered.
According to historians, an ancient tribe called ‘Nakuli Kandha’ first worshipped the Lord as Nakuliswar some 1500 years ago.
As the 13th century 70-feet high temple was built by king of Ranpur and later annexed by Nayagarh king, the names of both the kings are chanted when the ‘Mahadeep’ is raised.
Situated on the foothills of Bhandar, the temple has a beautiful landscape with river Kusumi flowing nearby.
The large tank adjacent to the temple dazzles as devotees burn earthen lamps on its steps throughout the night on Maha Shivaratri.
The district is dotted with hundreds of Shiva temples, the prominent being westward looking Dutikeswar at Jamupatna, Dhabaleswar atop a hill at Lachhipur, and 7th century Somenath temple at Govindpur.
The Rameswar temple at Khutuni in Khandapara is associated with astronomer Pathani Samant and the Gatriswar temple at Malisahi, built by king of Boudh in 9th century, is associated with Kavisamrat Upendrabhanj.
A bhajan programme at Sarankul was organised by Bandana Art and Music School in the evening.