Puri: With the holy month of Kartika approaching, the district administration of Odisha’s Puri is making elaborate arrangements to welcome 2,500 Habisyalis, widowed or married women.
As Kartika month begins on October 26, the online application process under the state government’s Habisyali Yojana will start from October 6.
The application link will be active from 10 am on October 6 till the target number of applicants is filled. This year, free accommodation, Srimandir darshan and free Mahaprasad will be arranged for 2,500 Habishyalis at three places – Brundabati Niwas, Municipality Kalyan Mandap and Railway Tourist Complex.
Applicants from all 30 districts can apply through https://edistrict.odisha.gov.in. Widowed women up to 70 years of age and married women between 50 to 70 years can apply. Applicants must be physically and mentally fit. Preference will be given to new applicants.
Like every year, accommodation for Habishyalis will be arranged and volunteers deployed for systematic darshan of Lord Jagannath. Registration will be accepted only through online mode. The site will be closed after the target of 2,500 is met.
The Additional District Magistrate (ADM) told reporters on Friday that all departments have coordinated and completed preparations to make the Habishyali scheme successful this year.
Special arrangements have been made only for registered Habishyalis. No special arrangements have been made for other elderly and local Habishyalis, but arrangements are being made to facilitate darshan for them, he said.