Patna: Patna has been illuminated ahead of Mahashivratri on February 15, with temples and flyovers draped in lights and garlands as authorities and organisers prepare for a large-scale religious procession expected to draw thousands of devotees.
The Shri Shri Mahashivratri Mahotsav Shobha Yatra Abhinandan Samiti is set to present a grand tableau in Khajpura, where the main stage stretches 60 feet and features replicas of the Shivalinga from the Somnath Temple and the Virat Ramayan Temple. Organisers said the installations are likely to be the main attraction for visitors.
The Shiva temple in Khajpura has been decorated with multicoloured bulbs, while LED boards and saffron flags have been mounted along the adjoining flyover. Barricades have been erected near the main venue as part of crowd management measures.
The district magistrate, Thiyagarajan SM, and the superintendent of police, Kartikeya Sharma, inspected arrangements at the site and issued instructions to officials to ensure the smooth conduct of the festival. According to the organising committee, buses have been arranged to transport participants in the procession back to their homes, and Mahaprasad will be distributed near the main stage after devotees view the tableau.
A separate procession is scheduled to depart from the Shri Vijay Raghav Temple in Kesari Nagar, where a festival of lights was held in the run-up to Mahashivratri. Established in 1992, the temple complex houses a Shivalinga, a Ram Darbar and a representation of Goddess Kali in pindi form.
Priests at the Khajpura temple said special rituals would be conducted throughout the day. In the evening, devotees will participate in Rudrabhishek ceremonies and bhajan-kirtan dedicated to Lord Shiva, followed by a night-long jagran.
Mahashivratri, one of the most significant festivals dedicated to Shiva, is marked by fasting, prayer and ritual offerings. Devotees traditionally offer Ganga water for peace of mind, milk for good health and honey for sweetness in speech. Other offerings include bilva leaves, believed to symbolise prosperity; sandalwood for honour and reputation; saffron for fame and gentleness; and bhang and dhatura, which are associated in Hindu belief with the deity’s ascetic form.
With security tightened and preparations in their final stages, the city administration said it expected the celebrations to proceed peacefully as Patna joins other parts of the country in observing the festival.
