Alarnath Shrine In Odisha’s Puri Wears Deserted Look Sans Devotees

Brahmagiri: The Alarnath Temple at Brahmagiri in Odisha’s Puri district, which remains chock-a-block with devotees during the ‘Anasara’ rituals of Lord Jagannath, wore a deserted look on Sunday with the district administration having clamped Section-144 in and around the shrine to restrict the movement of devotees.

Apart from the temple, all trading establishments in Brahmagiri town remained closed due to the weekend shutdown imposed by the state government to contain the spread of COVID-19.

Talking to the media, Brahmagiri Tehsildar Kishore Kumar Panda said that the prohibitory orders, imposed since the night of June 5, will remain in force till June 20. He said the servitors with identity card are allowed to enter the temple through the north gate.

Devotees in large numbers throng Brahmagiri for darshan of Lord Alarnath every year after the sibling deities are taken to the Anasara Ghara (the asylum for the sick) of the Jagannath Temple for 15 days after they supposedly fall ill due to the holy bath during Snana Purnima.

Legend has it that Shri Chaitanya during his stay at Alarnath during the Anasara of Lord Jagannath visualised the appearance of Lord Jagannath there and spent a long period in worshipping the deity.

It is believed that those who cannot worship Lord Jagannath during his stay in the sick chamber can get his blessings by visiting Alarnath Temple. During this period, the temple servitors offer a special ‘kheer’ (rice pudding sweetened by jaggery) to the Lord.