The famous Dhabaleswar (Shiva) Temple is gearing up to observe Panchuka during the last five days of holy Odia month of Kartik. lakhs of devotees of the lord across the State and outside are going to congregate during the festival. The shrine is situated on the Mahanadi river bank.
As the shrine is perched on a hillock in an island surrounded by the river Mahanadi, the devotees reach the place by boats either from Bidanasi side of Cuttack or through a suspension bridge from Mancheswar village of Athagarh side. The shrine which is associated with several myths is also a most sought after tourist spot due to its scenic beauty and serenity.
During the Odia month of Shraban, thousands of Kaudias throng the shrine to pour water on the Shiv linga. On every Monday during the whole of Kartik, devotees in large number come to the temple to have a darshan of the lord and seek His blessing. But during Panchuka, the temple gets the biggest crowd of devotees, who come here not only to perform religious rites on Bada Osha but also enjoy a fair that takes place on the occasion. last year, over seven lakh devotees had thronged the shrine during Panchuka.
The Bada Osha falls on the third day of the Panchuka, which is observed in almost all Odia houses with utmost sanctity and care. The lord at the shrine is worshipped in the night of Bada Osha with white coloured fruits, flowers and clothing for which He is called the white God or Dhabaleswar. Even the bhoga of the lord is white and is known as Gaja Bhog. This year Panchuka will be observed from November 13 to 17.
A preparatory meeting has already been held under the presidentship of Athagarh Sub-Collector Trilochan Pradhan in presence of Cuttack Collector Girish SN, Superintendent of Police Gurudas Kundu, all line department heads, media persons and members of the servitors’ body ahead of the fest. It was decided that the to and fro fare for ferrying in the boat would be `20 per person and `2 for using the suspension bridge.
CMC, Cuttack and NAC of Athagarh have been assigned to keep the temple’s premises clean and ensure provision of essential amenities. Small country boat (huli danga) will be banned during Panchuka and big registered boats with trained drivers will be deployed. ODRAF units with life jackets and pneumatic tubes will be pressed into service. CESU has been assigned to illuminate the shrine with adequate light.
Similarly, RWSS department has been assigned to provide safe drinking water inside the shrine and keep tankers at Bidanasi side and Mancheswar side. Superintendent of Police(Rural) of Cuttack, Choudwar SDPO and IICs of Athagarh and Gurudijhatia have been entrusted to deploy adequate police force for maintenance of law and order and smooth running of the festival. Cuttack RTO has been asked to provide sufficient bus facilities with minimal price for the devotees to reach near the shrine. Since due to recent flash flood, the approach roads to the shrine have been badly affected, the R & B and RWD departments have been asked to repair these at an earliest. Grand cultural programmes like Bhajana and Sankirtan will be held during the Panchuka. The entire shrine will remain under the surveillance of CCTV.