Visually challenged devotees light lamps at Lingaraj Temple in Bhubaneswar on the occasion of Mahashivratri on Friday.

Lakhs of devotees thronged the shrine for the shahanmela darshan that continued till 11am, and the temple reopened at 3pm. The raising of mahadeep (ceremonial lamp) to the dadhinauti (temple crown) took place at 10pm. But it got delayed by an hour. The devotees broke their daylong fast after the mahadeep got placed atop the temple.

Ruma Bhattacharya, a tourist, queued up in front of the temple from midnight to get a glimpse of the Lord and offer prayers.

"I had heard a lot about the Mahashivratri celebrations of this temple. We couldn't miss out on the chance. I must admit our efforts were worth it," she said.

In Bhubaneswar, all other Shiv temples, including Jaleswar, Nilakantha and Kapileswar, also witnessed huge turnout of devotees.

In Cuttack, devotees were seen standing in long queues outside Amareshwar, Astashambu, Sidheswara and Hateskeswar temples to offer special prayers to the presiding deity.

"The long hours of wait do not dampen our spirit as we enthusiastically chant Hari bola and Om Namah Shivay. The devotion gives strength, especially to those who fast for the whole day," said Monalisa Swain, a visitor at the Dhabaleswar temple in Cuttack.

A lot of devotees were seen at the famous Lokanath shrine in Puri and the Vedvyas temple along the Koel river in Rourkela as well.

Picture by Ashwinee Pati