In a shocking and disappointing turn of events, the rituals have been halted at Lingaraj temple in Bhubaneswar, the capita city of Odisha. Reports say that Lord Shiva has not been offered food since the evening hours on Sunday. This has reportedly occurred due to a conflict between the two important groups of sevayats in the temple.
The news of the rituals halted at Lingaraj temple in Bhubaneswar comes as a rude shock to devotees who have been waiting for the holy Shravan Somwar for a darshan of Lord Shiva. The conflict is reportedly between the ‘Puja Panda’ sevayats and the ‘Badu’ sevayats. It pertains to the ‘Shravan Pauna’ or the payment for the month of Shravan.
It is worth mentioning that the Badu sevayats are at the temple and are doing the rituals whereas the Puja Panda sevayats have refrained from it. Hence, the Lord has not been offered ‘bhoga’ or food since yesterday evening.
The devotees (Kanwariyas) are however offering water to Shiva without proper puja of Lord Shiva. This incident has shocked the devotees and led to discontentment among them.
Reports further say that, special arrangements have been made in and around the temple by the Bhubaneswar Municipality Corporation (BMC) and the police in view of the crowd and traffic on Monday. The police Commissionerate have also increased security in and around the temple.
Traffic arrangements, and extensive security measures have been put in place to prevent any untoward incidents. It is worth mentioning that, several mobile patrol teams (PCR) and patrolling vans have been mobilized to protect and guard the Kanwariyas across various Shiva temples for Shravan in Odisha.
Also Read: First Monday of Shravan in Odisha, serpentine queues witnessed in Shiva temples across the State
