Police arrangement at Lingaraj temple in Bhubaneswar ahead of Shivratri. Telegraph picture

Bhubaneswar, March 1: Around 20 platoons of police will be deployed in and around the 11th century Lingaraj temple here on the occasion of Mahashivratri tomorrow.

Addressing the preparatory meeting for Mahashivratri on the premises of the Lingaraj police station, police commissioner B.K. Sharma said elaborate security arrangements would be made for the festival, which is the biggest in the city.

While deputy commissioner of police Himanshu Lal will be in charge of the security arrangements, two assistant commissioners of police will also pitch in. As many 13 inspectors, 56 sub-inspectors and assistant sub-inspectors, along with 16 platoons of police, will be deployed.

Cops would keep an eye on pickpockets, snatchers and eve-teasers. But their main role would be to control crowd at strategic points.

Barricades have already been put up to ensure orderly queues for darshan of the deity in the temple. The police have also made plans for better traffic control as the festival is expected to draw more than five lakh devotees.

The three MLAs representing different parts of Bhubaneswar, the mayor of the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation, the additional district magistrate and the heads of the three sevayat nijogs were present at the meeting.

The chief executive of temple administration, Abani Pattnaik, said the temple administration along with the sevayats have decided upon the timetable of the rituals to be performed on Mahashivratri.

“The temple will open at 3am and the first aalati will be held at 3.30am. The temple will remain open from 4am to 11am for the devotees for darshan, which is called Shahanmela. Rituals will be performed till 3pm. The mahadeep will be taken to the top of the temple between 9.30pm and 10pm. We have prepared this time table so that the festival is conducted smoothly,” said Pattnaik.

Besides the temple administration, police and various groups of priests promised to cooperate in the interest of an orderly Mahashivratri.

The administration plans to provide mobile toilets and drinking water for devotees.

“The temple will be decorated with lights. The materials required for the special worship are ready,” said Hari Ballav Mishra, additional district magistrate, Bhubaneswar.