Cuttack: Dhabaleswar temple in an island of Mahanadi near Mancheswar village under Athagarh block on Wednesday saw a huge influx of devotees on the occasion of ‘Bada Osa’, observed on the 13th day of the bright fortnight (Shukla Paksha) in the Holy Kartika month.
According to sources, ‘Dwara Phita’ (opening of door) ritual of the temple was conducted at 3 am. After ‘Jalabhisek’ and ‘Rudrabhisekh’, using milk, honey, ghee and curd, ‘Mangala Aarati’ and ‘Mailam’, people were allowed to have darshan of Lord Dhabaleswar donning the ‘Badasinghar Besha’.
At midnight, the Lord will be offered ‘Gaja Bhoga’, a Linga-shaped cake made of rice powder, sugar, gur, moong and coconut. The devotees break their fast after darshan of the deity and partaking Gaja Bhog in early next morning.
Elaborate security arrangement has been made by the district administration at the shrine for hassle-free conduct of rituals and darshan for devotees. Certain traffic restrictions have also been imposed to ensure the smooth movement of devotees to the shrine. While heavy vehicles from Cuttack will take National Highway (NH)-55 from Nuapatna Square, those coming from Athagarh side from either Kakhadi Square or Nidhipur Square.
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).
