Muniguda, February 16:
Faith and love came together in a powerful display of devotion in Muniguda block of Rayagada district, where a young man undertook a unique spiritual journey to seek Lord Shiva’s blessings for his true love.
It is widely believed that during the auspicious occasion of “Jagar,” devotees who worship Lord Shiva with sincerity are blessed with their desired life partner. This age-old belief continues to hold deep roots in the hearts of many. Inspired by this unwavering faith, Loknath Dangari, son of Gurudas Dangari from Dangabadi village under Ichhapur Panchayat, decided to surrender himself to Lord Kapileswar Mahadev of Ambadala in Muniguda block.
To fulfil his heartfelt wish, Loknath crawled approximately 4 kilometres from his native village to the Amlabhata Shiva Temple as an act of penance and devotion. Upon reaching the temple, he offered prayers and placed his heartfelt wish before Lord Shiva. Though he did not publicly reveal the full details of his desire, he stated that this was a test of his true love.
What made this act even more inspiring was the unwavering support of his parents. Seeing their son’s dedication and sincerity, they accompanied him along the route, laying cloth on the ground to protect him as he crawled toward the temple. Their gesture symbolised unconditional parental support and stood as an example for society.
Interestingly, Loknath is well-educated and works as an operator in a company in Chennai. Despite having a professional career, he turned to spiritual faith in pursuit of his love, seeking divine justice from Lord Bholenath.
The incident has drawn attention in the region, highlighting how faith, tradition, and personal belief continue to shape emotional and social decisions in rural Odisha.
