Date:08/11/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/11/08/stories/2008110852750200.htm

Other States - Orissa

Huge crowd expected for ‘Bada Osha’ at Dhabaleswar

Correspondent

‘Panchuka’ festival to begin tomorrow

Dhabaleswar temple is located in the middle of Mahanadi River
Only 800 to 1,000 devotees will be allowed to cross the hanging bridge at a time

CUTTACK: The famous Shiva shrine ‘Dhabaleswar Mandir’ located in Mahanadi patha under Athgarh sub-division, about 10 kms from the city here is expected to witness a massive gathering for the ensuing five-day ‘Panchuka’ festival beginning from Sunday.

“More than two lakh devotees are expected to throng the famous shrine this year for the festival, which would culminate with ‘Kartika Purnima’ on November 13. The last five-day strict rituals of the holy month of Kartika, including the important puja of Bada Osha on Tuesday would be observed in grand style”, said the Athagarh Sub-Collector Rajesh Patil.

Speaking to newsmen here on Friday, Patil informed that adequate measures have been taken by the district administration to ensure that the festival ends peacefully.

Since the temple is located in the deltaic region of Mahanadi, one has to cross the river to reach the shrine. Thankfully, country’s longest hanging bridge, which came up here two years ago is a major relief.

However, due to last year’s damage to the bridge, the administration is planning to control the number of devotees on it. “We would allow only 800 to 1,000 devotees to cross the bridge at any point of time. A technical team would be kept ready to repair the hanging bridge in case of any exigency”, Patil informed.

Patil said, besides ensuring that all rituals of the shrines are completed on time, the administration has made elaborate arrangements to provide health services, ferry, road and light, sanitation and security, including maintaining law and order.

Security arrangements

Fourteen platoons of armed police, about a hundred home guards, 45 officers, four inspectors, two DSPs and one additional SP would be under the direct control of Cuttack rural SP Niranjan Swain, the sub collector added.

Patil further added that at least 40 big boats and ten power boats would be deployed to ferry the devotees to and fro.

The boats would be under the control of trained boatmen and steps would be taken to ensure that the boats are not overcrowded.

“There would be complete ban on country boats to ferry devotees”, Patil said.

Similarly, there would be two ODRAF teams and two fire brigade teams to patrol the river to rescue the stranded devotees, he added.