JAMSHEDPUR: Preparations are on in full swing to celebrate Mahashivratri with festive fervour in the Kolhan division. Shiva temples across all three districts in the division are being extensively decorated with flowers and lights while many have received a fresh coat of paint ahead of the event.In an anticipation of a large turnout of devotees, the prominent temples have put in place elaborate arrangements to ensure smooth conduct of rituals.The Mahadevsal Dham temple in Goelkera in West Singhbhum, that sees a huge turnout of devotees every year, has erected makeshift railings near the temple to organise devotees in queues. Temple volunteers will also be seen controlling the crowd, ensuring every devotee has a smooth access to the presiding deity."Devotees from surrounding towns arrive in large numbers from early hours and the queue continues till midnight, which makes crowd control a tough task at the temple on Mahashivratri," said a volunteer of the temple S K Singh.The crowd pulling temples in the Steel City, such as Andhra Bhakta Sree Ram Mandiram in Bistupur, Rankini Mandir in Kadma, Mata Sheetla Mandir in Sakchi, Bhuvaneswari temple in Telco and Adityapur Road Number 10 Shiva temple among others, have made extensive preparations to host devotees on Mahashivratri."Our volunteers will be available at the temple for assisting the devotees but self-regulation and cleanliness is expected from them," said Ram Mandiram temple committee functionary B S Rao.Meanwhile, the market is abuzz with the festive crowd arriving to purchase puja essentials that include coconuts and bananas besides flowers and belpatra (leaves of bel tree) that are being sold at a relatively higher cost.

Stay updated with all the Latest Jamshedpur headlines here. For more exclusive & live news updates from all around India, stay connected with NYOOOZ.