Patna: The city is set to observe Mahashivaratri on Sunday with 30 scheduled processions (shobha yatras) featuring tableaux and musical bands. The main ceremony will take place at the Khajpura Shiv temple complex. CM Nitish Kumar is scheduled to arrive at 5pm, followed by BJP national president Nitin Nabin at 7pm. Both leaders, along with deputy CM Samrat Choudhary and Vijay Kumar Sinha, will perform aarti for the tableaux.The Mahavir temple at Patna Junction will conduct Rudrabhishek rituals from 5am to 9pm. Temple spokesperson Ajay Kumar Singh said 58 bookings were made for the one-hour ritual at the four Shivalingas within the temple.
The Shri Shri Mahashivratri Mahotsav Shobhayatra Abhinandan Samiti is coordinating the 30 processions, which will originate from various neighbourhoods and follow pre-determined routes before converging at Khajpura.Convener Sanjiv Chaurasia confirmed that CCTV cameras have been installed at the main site for surveillance. Bailey Road has been decorated with LED boards and lights. Welcome arches have been erected along the routes, and stalls for flower showers, water and refreshments have been set up at 22 locations.The main venue features three stages. The first stage is designated for the aarti and felicitation of committees. The second stage is earmarked for cultural performances, including bhajan sandhya and tandav dance, while the third stage will host a Ganga Aarti. The main stage includes a 33-foot Shivling and a replica of the Somnath temple.Tableaux will showcase diverse themes, including a 33-foot Shivling from the Viraat Ramayan Temple, a depiction of the Amarnath cave with “Barfani Baba” from the Sheikhpura committee, and a representation of Mahadev within Sheshnag from the AG Colony group. Other displays include the Kedarnath temple, the churning of the ocean and presentations by the Brahma Kumaris.Several political figures, including the assembly Speaker, ministers and legislators, will flag off the processions from locations such as Adalatganj, Danapur, Yarpur and Rajvanshi Nagar. On Saturday evening, devotional singing was held at temples in Digha, Kurji, Patel Nagar and other areas in preparation for the festival.Patna DM Thiyagarajan S M and SSP Kartikeya K Sharma have deployed magistrates and police personnel at 75 locations to manage the festival. Quick response teams and quick medical response teams have been stationed at the Khajpura Shiv temple and the district control room.Law enforcement personnel are using CCTV cameras, videography and drones to monitor public activity. The civil surgeon has stationed ambulances and medical teams at key sites while coordinating emergency services with IGIMS and Paras hospital. Fire brigade units have been positioned at the temple and the control room.PMC has arranged five water tankers, five water ATMs and mobile toilets at the Khajpura site. PESU is maintaining power supply with generator back-up. SDOs are monitoring noise levels using sound meter applications to enforce regulations against high-decibel audio systems.Seven SDRF teams equipped with motorboats and divers are patrolling river ghats. Private boat operations have been prohibited during the event. The administration has established two additional control rooms at Dumra Police Chowki and Khajpura to coordinate operations.
