Puri: The online registration process for Habisyalis, women who want to observe Kartika Brata in Odisha’s Puri, began on Sunday.
Habisyalis intending to observe the Radha Damodar Kartika brata at government expenses need to register their names online. The registration process will continue till October 11, according to Puri Collector Siddharth Shankar Swain.
The brata would commence from October 18 and the habisyalis must file their applications for listing on www.edistrict.odisha.gov.in portal before October 11. Devotees arriving directly in the town without prior registration would not be entertained, he said.
Thousands of elderly women are expected to throng the pilgrim town of Odisha during the Kartika month, which will begin on October 18. Over 2,500 women will be accommodated in four Habishyali centres.
The Habishyali are usually housed at Brundabati Nivas, Bagala and Bagadia dharmashalas, Mochi Sahi Kalyan Mandap and Akshaya Patra building. The district administration also takes care of their food, transport to and from the Shree Jagannath temple, evening religious discourses and other brata needs. Doctors are posted in the town to take care of the health of the elderly women.
The state government has also approved Rs 2.57 crore under Habishyali scheme for observance of the month-long Kartika Brata.
