Puri: The holiest of all months in Hindu Calendar began on Monday and Puri is all geared up for the month-long Kartika Brata with Habisyalis (women who observe fast during the month) flocking to the Pilgrim Town since morning for Radha Damodar Puja.
Accommodation
The state government has made arrangements for the Habisyalis at three places in Puri.
- Puri Railway Tourist Complex
- Mochisahi Kalyan Mandap
- Narendra Kona Habisyali building
As many as 3,000 Habisyalis can stay at these centres. While 900 can be accommodated at Puri Railway Tourist Complex, 600 Habisyalis can stay at Mochisahi Kalyan Mandap.
Arrangements have been made for 1,500 Habisyalis at Narendra Kona Habisyali building.
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik will inaugurate these centres on Monday afternoon through video conferencing.
The government is providing free accommodation with food for the Habisyalis from October 13 to November 12
Puri Calling
While 2,340 Habisyalis registered for accommodation at these centres, 1,507 had already reached Puri by Sunday evening.
The government had allowed for both online and offline registration.
Special Buses
Special buses have been arranged for Habisyalis, which they can board for the Jagannath Temple. Two buses will leave the Railway complex every day.
Healthcare
Besides free accommodation and ‘Mahaprasad’, free healthcare facilities will be provided to the registered Habisyalis.
Other Facilities
A ‘Tulasi Chauran’ has also been erected for them to perform the rituals, while facility for bathing has been provided near Narendra Puskarini.
Three supervisors and 12 Nodal Officers have been deployed to oversee the arrangements.
Safety
CCTV cameras have been installed at these centres. Fire brigade, doctors, ambulance and police have also been deployed.
