Shivling ‘unearthed’ from 100-ft below draws devotees

Akola: A rare and centuries-old religious tradition was witnessed on Mahashivratri near Panet village, at the foothills of the Purna River, where devotees were offered a unique darshan of a self-manifested (swayambhu) Mahadev Shivling that remains buried deep beneath the earth for most of the year.The sacred Shivling, located close to Panet village in Akola district, is believed to lie nearly 100 feet below ground level and is brought out for public darshan only once a year, on Mahashivratri.According to villagers, heavy rainfall causes the Purna river and nearby streams to overflow. Large quantities of mud and silt deposited along the riverbank, gradually cover the Shivling completely. As a result, the shrine remains buried under thick layers of soil for several months every year.Local residents said the tradition has been followed for generations and that the Shivling has existed at the same location for hundreds of years. The annual re-emergence of the Shivling has become a powerful symbol of faith, community participation and religious heritage in the region.From the early hours of the morning, a massive crowd of devotees gathered at the riverbank shrine. Long queues were seen throughout the day, while chants in praise of Lord Shiva echoed across the area.Among those who offered prayers was Randhir Savarkar, BJP MLA from Akola East, who described the tradition as an important spiritual and cultural legacy of the district.