Organisers said the festival, which began on February 9, features daily thematic adornment of Lord Shiva along with continuous bhajan-kirtan, shehnai recitals, and religious rites. The temple complex has been decorated with saffron flags, ornate gateways, lighting displays, and painted facades to mark the occasion. Devotees are also participating in the worship of 1.25 lakh earthen Shivlings as part of the religious programme.

The schedule includes a series of ceremonial rituals reflecting traditional Hindu wedding customs. Events conducted so far include Ganesh pujan, lamp arrangements with thousands of diyas, mandap स्थापना, tilak rituals, and devotional performances by women’s groups. On February 12, priests performed Parthiv Ganesh स्थापना, followed by cultural presentations and special adornment of the deity. The following day featured Parthiv Kali pujan and Navchandi path recitations.

On February 14, priests will perform the haldi and oil ritual for Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, symbolising pre-wedding traditions. Devotees, particularly women, will participate in celebratory rituals involving turmeric and गुलाल, after which mehendi ceremonies and a devotional music evening are scheduled. Temple authorities said a local belief holds that applying haldi offered here may help unmarried devotees find suitable matches.

The main Maha Shivratri observances on February 15 will begin at 4 a.m. with a ceremonial bhasm aarti. Priests will then perform abhishek using sanctified water from a gold vessel, followed by day-long offerings and a night-long sequence of ritual ablutions with sacred substances. In the evening, the deities will be adorned in bridal attire, and a tandav aarti is planned for 8 p.m.

The festival will conclude on February 16 with a grand aarti and a special groom-form adornment of Lord Shiva. Organisers said the annual celebration aims to preserve ritual traditions, strengthen community participation, and provide devotees an immersive spiritual experience.

Authorities expect visitor numbers to increase significantly over the weekend and have coordinated crowd management and security arrangements to ensure smooth conduct of the remaining ceremonies.