Puri: With the holy month of Kartika approaching, the district administration of Odisha’s Puri has made elaborate arrangements to welcome 2,500 Habisyalis, widowed or married women.
Habisalis are set to throng the pilgrim town to observe the sacred ‘Rai Damodar Brata’ during the upcoming Kartika month.
Puri Collector Dibya Jyoti Parida said special Habisyali Kendras will be set up at four locations – Brundabati Niwas, Bagala Dharmasala, Puri Municipality Kalyan Mandap, and the Railway Tourist Complex. These centres are being readied to offer comfortable accommodation and other essential services.
The online registration process will commence on September 19 at 10 am and priority will be given to those registering for the first time, Parida told reporters on Tuesday.
The selection process will follow a first-come, first-served basis. Eligible applicants must be women—widows or married—up to 70 years of age and in good health. A dedicated medical team will be deployed at the centres to conduct health checks and provide support.
Apart from boarding and lodging, arrangements have been made for darshan of Lord Jagannath and His siblings, access to Mahaprasad, and spiritual observance of the Kartika rituals.
The district administration has also coordinated with various departments to ensure a smooth experience. While the police will oversee security arrangements, Water Corporation of Odisha (WATCO) and the Rural Water Supply and Sanitation (RWSS) department will ensure uninterrupted supply of clean drinking water.
Similarly, the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) will manage temple access and crowd control and the Regional Transport Office (RTO) will regulate vehicle movement. Round-the-clock medical facilities would also be provided for the Habisyalis by the district health authorities.