Puri: The much-awaited Habisiali Bhawan in the pilgrim city with dormitory accommodation is nearing completion.
The multi-story building with gated facility can accommodate over 1200 devotees who visit Jagannath dham every year in the Kartika month. Elderly women observe Kartika Brata by worshipping the Lord in his Radha Damodar Besha on the temple premises.
The facility will be provided to Habisialis ((elderly women who observe austerity, food restriction and offer special puja during the month) visiting Puri for observing Habisiali Brata.
The state government used to host about 3,000 devotees every year under its Habisiali Scheme and provide them free accommodation in mutts, Bhakta Nivas as well as kalyan mandaps, Mahaprasad, winter clothing, darshan of deities in temple and other puja essentials for their brata.
Last year, the Puri administration had asked devotees not to come to the town to observe the month-long rituals in view of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The holy month of Kartika begins on October 21 this year and will culminate with Purnima celebrations on November 19.
