A massive gathering of devotees was witnessed in Puri on Friday as ‘Pankodhar Ekadashi’ was observed at the Lokanath Temple, one of the most revered Shaiva shrines in Odisha. The annual ritual, dedicated to Lord Lokanath, holds immense spiritual significance and draws pilgrims from across the state and beyond.
Anticipating a large turnout, the district administration and Puri Police made extensive arrangements to ensure the orderly movement and safety of devotees. Barricades were erected around the temple premises, and security personnel were deployed throughout the day to facilitate smooth darshan.
The temple doors were opened at midnight, with the Pankodhar ritual formally beginning at around 4 am. Devotees are scheduled to be allowed darshan until 11 pm. From Pankodhar Ekadashi until the raising of the Mahadeep on Maha Shivaratri, the ‘Jagata Mangala Deep’ will remain lit continuously for three days. The sacred lamp, crafted from ashtadhatu—an alloy of eight metals—burns using nearly two and a half quintals of ghee.
The ritual is particularly significant as it offers devotees a rare darshan of the Shiva Lingam, which remains submerged in water for the rest of the year. On this occasion, the sanctum is drained, revealing the lingam to devotees.
The Pankodhar Neeti is observed three days before Maha Shivaratri. During this period, temple priests remove the accumulated water around the Shiva Lingam using sacred vessels. The lingam is then ritually cleansed with sandalwood paste and floral fragrances.
