Lingaraj Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva and is one of the oldest temples in Bhubaneswar, the capital of the East Indian state of Odisha. The temple is the most prominent landmark of Bhubaneswar city and one of the major tourist attractions of the state.
During early morning, lamps in the cella are lit to awaken Lingaraj from his sleep
a ceremonial act of washing parts of the body or sacred containers. carried out in Early Morning
- 2 am am Temple Opening for Brahmins who do the Rituals
- 2.30 am Mangal Aarti
- 3 am - Ballav Bhoga
- 5.30 am Pahil Bhoga
The Lingaraj temple is open from 6 a.m. to about 9 p.m for the Deevotees, followed by adoration and arati in between
- At 6 am Door is Opened by the Key Holder called Parakha. The opening takes places in presence of a representative of Pancayat and the Palia Badu/ Sebaka
- 6 - 8 am - Devotees are allowed for the Darshan. They can touch the deity in this time
- 8am - 10am - Rudra Abhishekam
- 10 - 11 am - Anna Bhoga - a Vegetarian Complete meals , made out of 56 items , including vegetables, sweets, milk, curd. Sometimes called Chappan Bhog (56)
- The temple is closed at about 12 noon until about 3.30 p.m
- Mahasnana - 12 noon once the Door Closed
- followed by pouring of Panchamrita (a mixture of milk, curdled milk, clarified butter, honey and ghee) upon the deity for purification
- 1:00 p.m., a ripe plantain is divided into two, one half is offered to Sun god and the other half to Dwarapala (the guarding deities in the doorway)
- Between 1 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. the food offering called Ballabha Bhoga (breakfast containing curdled milk, curd and vegetables) is offered to the deity. The consecrated food is carried to the temple of Parvati and placed before her as an offering
- At about 2 p.m., the Sakala Dhupa (morning's offering of food) takes place.After the food is offered to Lingaraj, the offerings are carried to the temple of Parvati to serve her.
- An offering called Bhanda Dhupa is carried out at 3:30 p.m. at the hall of offering. This food is later offered by the inmates to the pilgrims as Mahaprasada.
- A light refreshment known as Ballabha Dhupa is offered to the deity at around 4:30 p.m
- At around 5:00 p.m., Dwipahar Dhupa (mid day meal) is offered.
- At around 7 p.m., another offering called Palia Badu is placed before the deity . Sandhya arati (waving of lights in the evening) is performed during that time
- Another light meal called Sahana Dhupa is offered at around 8:30 p.m. After the meals, the ceremony of waving light (arati) is performed before the deity
- At 9.30 p.m., the last service of the day, Bada Singara (the great decoration) is performed when the deity is decorated with flowers and ornaments after which a light food offering is made. A wooden palanquin is laid in the room, incense is lighted, drinking water is served and prepared betel is placed. Panchabaktra Mahadeva comes to the palanquin and returns to his own abode after the arati is performed. This is a bronze image of Mahadeva having five faces and Parvati in his lap. Each of these ceremonies is accompanied by ritual observances and recitations of mantras (Sanskrit texts) specified for each occasion