Bhadrak, Feb 26: In a tragic incident which unfolded at the iconic Lingaraj temple in Bhubaneswar this morning, at least two women devotees sustained injuries due to the heavy rush during darshan on auspicious occasion of Mahashivratri today.
As per reports, a momentary rush unfolded near the temple's main entrance ‘Singhadwara’ leading to a brief disruption. The overwhelming crowd of devotees created a jostling scenario, resulting in minor injuries to two women.
Eyewitnesses said that the massive gathering made movement difficult, and as the crowd moved forward for darshan, a brief stampede-like situation arose.
Temple authorities and security personnel acted swiftly to control the situation and assist the injured devotees providing them with necessary medical aid. Both the women are reported to be safe.
Despite the incident, the celebrations continued uninterrupted, with thousands offering prayers and eagerly waiting for the grand ‘Maha Deepa’ ritual, which will be raised atop the temple at 10 PM.
It is worth mentioning that a broad range of security arrangements have been put in place for smooth celebration of Mahashivratri at the Lingaraj temple.
To maintain law and order situation, as many as 48 platoons of police along with more than 100 police officers of various ranks have been deployed at the temple. Additionally, all necessary arrangements for traffic management, safety, security and emergency services, including fire brigades, have been made to ensure a smooth celebration and convenience of the devotees.
To ensure a hassle-free experience for devotees, designated parking spots have been arranged for their convenience. Details are as follows:
