Dikhyaa Mohanty 
“Maha Shivaratri”, a night dedicated to the worship of Lord Shiva is celebrated amid strict COVID-19 rules and regulations in Odisha. This year in a few areas it will be held sans devotees and in a few other places with a small number of devotees. Even the ‘Maha Deepa’ will be raised atop the Lingaraj temple at 10 pm and section 144 has been implemented in Baba Akhandalmani Bhadrak from 12 pm.
The police ensured that strict Covid guidelines have been issued by the state government and there are restrictions inside and outside the temple premises. Even the temple administrations have been asked to ensure that no fairs are held outside the temples. Anyone violating any of the rules will face strict actions. As per the report the Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) has written to all the district collectors and municipal commissioners to look into the arrangements.
HISTORY –
There are thousands of stories behind this festival, on why this particular day is been celebrated with such a kin interest. As per the mythology, this day is celebrated on the day when Lord Shiva saved the world by drinking poison that emerged from the ocean during Samudra Manthan. The poison got stored in Shiva’s throat which later made it blue or which is known as ‘Neelkanth’.
Lore depicts that the Shivaratri is celebrated as the day when Brahma and Vishnu got into a major fight about their supremacy over each other which eventually made Shiva. Later Shiva punished them by taking the form of a massive fire that spread across the length of the universe. Vishnu and Brahma then got into the race to find the end of the fire and prove their prowess–only to be dismayed. Brahma then lied which further angered Shiva greatly who cursed that no one would ever pray to him. Since it was on the 14th day in the dark half of the month of Phalguna that Shiva first manifested himself in the form of a Linga, the day is especially auspicious and is celebrated as Mahashivaratri.
According to another story, it is believed that on this day Lord Shiva got married to Parvati. Even it is believed that on this auspicious night Shiva performed the creation, preservation, and destruction and the festival is marked by annual dance festivals at major Hindu temples.
Image Source – Google
