Cuttack: Lord Dhabaleswar was dressed up in ‘Badasinghra Besha’ on the occasion of ‘Bada Osa’ at Dhabaleswar temple of Athagarh in Cuttack district on Wednesday.
In the absence of devotees, who usually throng the temple in thousands, the shrine and its periphery wore a deserted look. The administration has imposed Section 144 in and around the temple from Tuesday till November 19 midnight in view of COVID-19.
On this day, the deity is given a bath in 108 pitchers of water. The family members of the priest prepare ‘Gaja Bhoga’ (cake made of rice flour, sugar, coconut and spices) which is offered to the Lord.
“It is holy day of Kartika month. The rituals at the temple began at 3 am and ‘Gaja Bhoga’ will be offered in the midnight,” said temple priest.
Bada Osa significance:
According to Padma Purana, Lord Indra had prayed to Lord Dhabaleswar and taken a holy dip in the Mahanadi on the Kartika Purnima for a reprieve from the curse of Lord Brahma.
Women observe ekbar (means one time to eat rice). In every Saiba Pitha devotees visit the temple and prepare the delicious sweet dish “Gaja Bhoga” and “Ghora”. Gaja Bhoga resembls a rasagolla, and is related to the Lord’s name Dhabaleswar Baba (Dhabala means white).
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