Bhubaneswar: In a surprising turn of events during the Maha Shivaratri celebrations at the historic Lingaraj Temple in Bhubaneswar on February 15, 2026, the sacred Mahadeepa was raised atop the 11th-century shrine much earlier than its officially scheduled time of 10:00 PM.
Reports from the temple premises indicate that the holy lamp was placed on the temple’s crown around 8:35 PM, nearly an hour and a half ahead of the timeline finalized by the Shree Lingaraj Temple Administration and the Nijogs.
This early ritual completion stands in stark contrast to previous years, where the ceremony was often delayed by hours due to ritualistic complexities or administrative disputes.
Today’s event was particularly unexpected given that earlier in the day, a brief scuffle between temple servitors and police personnel over entry protocols had threatened to derail the timing of the “niti-kanti” (rituals).
However, following a successful mediation between the Commissionerate Police, temple trust members, and the servitor groups, the remaining rituals were fast-tracked with remarkable coordination.
The sight of the flickering flame atop the 180-foot shikhara triggered an immediate wave of spiritual fervor among the thousands of devotees waiting in the courtyard and surrounding Ekamra Kshetra.
For the many worshippers observing the “nirjala vrat” (waterless fast), the early ascent of the Mahadeepa served as a divine relief, allowing them to complete their penance and break their fast well before the traditional midnight hour.
Temple officials attributed the early completion to the disciplined execution of the final rituals, including the Sandhya Dhupa and Bedha Parikrama, which were concluded with unusual efficiency.
As the golden light of the Mahadeepa continues to illuminate the Bhubaneswar skyline, the 2026 Jagar Yatra will be remembered for its rare punctuality and the seamless transition from temporary tension to a triumphant spiritual climax.