Puri: As Kartika Masa, considered the holiest of all months in Hindu calendar, began on Sunday, Habisyalis started reaching Odisha’s pilgrim town of Puri. Puri is all geared up for the month-long Kartika Brata with Habisyalis, women who observe fast during the month, flocking to the town.
The state government has made elaborate arrangements for the month-long stay of Habisyalis, mostly widows, in Puri. According to sources, a total of 3,024 habisyalis have registered online to get benefits of Habisyali Brata Yojana launched in 2018.
The devotees will be accommodated in Brundabati Niwas, Mochsahi Kalyan Mandal, a private foundation’s office building, Bagala Dharamsala and Belgadia Dharamsala. Five nodal officers have been appointed to supervise all arrangements.
Besides providing accommodation, the government has made arrangements for free mahaprasad and healthcare facilities for the habisyalis. However, a large number of habisyalis who came to Puri without doing online registration, are facing problems in getting accommodation. Many of them returned back.
Habisyalis from only four to five districts could register online while hundreds of others could not stay in the government accommodations as they failed to do so, sources said.
The district administration has prepared accommodation, food and health and safety arrangements for more than 3 thousand devotees in 5 Habishyali centers in Puri. Several voluntary organisations of Puri have also joined offering their services and support.
Apart from security personnel, 2 additional SPs, 7 DSPs, 10 inspectors, 44 SIs and ASIs, 70 constables and 18 platoon forces have been deployed to maintain law and order during the month. Arrangements have been made by the administration for the darshan of Lord Jagannath, distribution of Mahaprasad, listening to Kartik Mahatma and performing Bhajan Kirtan in the temple.
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik is slated formally inaugurate Habishyalis Sibira virtually via video conference.
The holy month of Kartika begins after Ashwina. In the month of Kartika, starting with Krishna Paksha Pratipada on Sunday, the important festivals of five-day Diwali, Chhath Puja and Kartik Purnima are also celebrated.
From today onwards, Habishyalis will observe the month of Kartik Brata as per traditions. They will take a dip in various pilgrimage ponds and the sea then they will perform Radhadamodara Puja.