The Dhabaleswar Shiva temple, situated in an island in the Mahanadi, is gearing up to observe the famous Panchuka festival. The last five days of the holy month of Kartik from November 2 to 6 this year will witness the mega event.
Bada Osa, the famous ritual of the lord, falls on November 4 while Gajabhoga and Attakali, famous bhog, will be distributed among the devotees on November 5 morning. Since the shrine attracts lakhs of devotees during the event, the local administration held a preparatory meeting in the temple premises on Friday evening where it was decided to observe the festival in an orderly and smooth way.
The meeting was chaired by Cuttack Collector Nirmal Mishra where almost line department heads, members of servitor society and mediapersons attended and gave their suggestions on holding the fair successfully.
The island is connected through river way from Bidanasi side of Cuttack while it is connected through country’s longest suspension bridge from Athagarh side. Devotees in large numbers pass in both the sides to come to the temple.
The administration has made it mandatory for all boats to carry life jackets and hold valid registrations. Meanwhile, the district administration has intimated the RWSS department to make necessary reparation and colouring of the bridge well ahead of the fair and requested the Press not to create any panic among the passersby regarding any damage in the bridge.
The CESU was entrusted to maintain uninterrupted power supply during Panchuka while the PHD would provide safe drinking water in the shrine. Similarly, the Health department would install several first aid centres and ambulance facilities while the Public Relations department would provide information pertaining to the festival. The Police department has asked to put up barricades, manage traffic and maintain law and order. Several voluntary organisations have given their consent to cleanse the premises and assist in different programmes.