Puri, Oct 26: The holy month of Kartika began on Monday, drawing large numbers of devotees to the Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri to seek the blessings of Lord Jagannath, who is being worshipped in his Radha Damodar Besha during the sacred period. The first day also coincided with Kartika Somabar, adding to the religious significance of the occasion.
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Hundreds of women, popularly known as Habishyalis, have arrived in the pilgrim town to observe the month-long Habisha Brata. To support their religious observances, the Puri district administration has made arrangements for accommodation, meals, security and temple darshan.
Around 2,400 Habishyalis are expected to receive facilities at designated camps during the month-long observance, which will continue until November 24.
Special Arrangements for Habishyalis
The district administration has put in place several measures to make the stay of Habishyalis more comfortable and ensure their safety. Separate accommodation facilities and meal arrangements have been organised, while a dedicated queue has been arranged at the Jagannath Temple to facilitate darshan.
Barricades have also been installed around sacred ponds to regulate bathing and minimise the risk of accidents. Officials and volunteers have been asked to assist the women staying at the camps and ensure that necessary support is available throughout their pilgrimage.
Puri Collector Dibya Jyoti Parida has urged volunteers to consider serving the Habishyalis a sacred responsibility and extend their full cooperation during the Kartika month.
Security Tightened Across the Pilgrim Town
With a significant increase in the number of devotees expected, the police administration has strengthened security arrangements in Puri. According to the report, 15 platoons of police personnel will be deployed to manage crowds and maintain law and order.
Authorities are also focusing on crowd regulation at the temple and safety arrangements at bathing locations. These measures are intended to help devotees complete their religious observances while reducing congestion and preventing untoward incidents.
Elderly Devotees Seek Smoother Darshan
Despite the arrangements, the heavy rush at the Srimandir has reportedly made darshan challenging for some devotees, particularly elderly women observing Habisha Brata.
An 81-year-old Habishyali expressed concern about entering the crowded temple premises and appealed to the administration to make additional provisions for senior citizens and women observing the month-long ritual.
At the same time, other devotees expressed happiness at being able to offer prayers on the opening day of Kartika. One Habishyali said she felt blessed to have darshan of the sibling deities and reaffirmed her commitment to following the traditional rituals throughout the month.
Devotion Marks the Beginning of Kartika
Kartika holds special religious significance for devotees, many of whom observe fasting, prayers and other spiritual practices during the month. The Radha Damodar Besha of Lord Jagannath is among the major attractions at the Srimandir during this period, drawing devotees from different parts of Odisha and beyond.
With the month-long observance now underway, the district administration faces the task of balancing the large influx of pilgrims with the need for safe movement, orderly darshan and adequate facilities for Habishyalis.
The arrangements are expected to remain central to crowd management and pilgrim welfare in Puri until the conclusion of Habisha Brata on November 24.
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