Devotees throng Mahendragiri for fair on Mahashivratri eve | Bhubaneswar News
Berhampur: A large number of devotees from the state and neighbouring Andhra Pradesh gathered atop Mahendragiri in Gajapati district on Tuesday for ‘Jagar Mela‘, celebrated on the eve of Mahashivratri.
Devotees queued up to offer prayers at the Gokarneswara Temple on the hilltop and watch the sunrise the next morning.
The district administration made elaborate arrangements on the hilltop and on the way to the temple from Burukoda. At least four temporary medical units were set up on the way to Mahendragiri, and generator sets were installed for illumination of all the roads to the shrine. “Water supply is being provided through tankers,” said Bijay Kumar Das, Gajapati collector. The road to the temple was repaired by the administration.
“Besides police officers, around 100 govt employees and volunteers were pressed into duty,” said the collector. Different organisations also prepared for distribution of food.
SP (Gajapati) Jatindra Kumar Panda said seven platoons of police forces were deployed on the hill. “Besides four DSP-rank officers, 11 inspectors and 46 other police officers were also deployed for traffic management and to maintain law and order,” he said. “At least 30 forest personnel were also deployed in the area,” said Anand S, DFO, Paralakhemundi.
The shivlinga is believed to have been installed and Gokarneswara Temple built by the Pandavas during their stay in Mahendragiri. There are four other temples dedicated to Yudhistir, Bhim, Arjun and Kunti on the picturesque hilltop.
Devotees queued up to offer prayers at the Gokarneswara Temple on the hilltop and watch the sunrise the next morning.
The district administration made elaborate arrangements on the hilltop and on the way to the temple from Burukoda. At least four temporary medical units were set up on the way to Mahendragiri, and generator sets were installed for illumination of all the roads to the shrine. “Water supply is being provided through tankers,” said Bijay Kumar Das, Gajapati collector. The road to the temple was repaired by the administration.
“Besides police officers, around 100 govt employees and volunteers were pressed into duty,” said the collector. Different organisations also prepared for distribution of food.
SP (Gajapati) Jatindra Kumar Panda said seven platoons of police forces were deployed on the hill. “Besides four DSP-rank officers, 11 inspectors and 46 other police officers were also deployed for traffic management and to maintain law and order,” he said. “At least 30 forest personnel were also deployed in the area,” said Anand S, DFO, Paralakhemundi.
The shivlinga is believed to have been installed and Gokarneswara Temple built by the Pandavas during their stay in Mahendragiri. There are four other temples dedicated to Yudhistir, Bhim, Arjun and Kunti on the picturesque hilltop.
