Annual ‘Pankoddhar Ekadashi’ at Puri’s Lokanath Temple Ahead of Shivaratri

Puri: Annual Pankoddhar Ekadashi ritual was performed at Shree Lokanath temple in Puri on Thursday. The Shiva Linga at this much-revered Shiva temple remains under a few feet of water and mud throughout the year. On this day of the Hindu lunar calendar, the mud is removed so that the devotees are able to touch the Shiva Linga of Lord Lokanath.

Thousands of devotees thronged this shrine to have the special touch of the Shiva Linga, which is possible only on one day of the year. According to historians, the Lokanath temple was established at a distance of around 2 Km from Sri Jagannath temple in Puri in the 11th century AD.

Pankoddhar Ekadashi is observed every year before the Shivaratri celebrations.

The mud that is removed on this day from the water-filled holy shrine is the decomposed remnant of bel leaves, flowers, coconut, and coconut water offered to the deity throughout the year.

Servitors of Shree Lokanath temple remove a large amount of holy mud from the deep pit in which the holy Shiva Linga is located in the presence of devotees at the centuries-old shrine. Devotees wait for this day to have a darshan and to touch the holy Shiva Linga that remains hidden under water and mud throughout the year.