Puri: The sacred Panchuka Brata, part of the holy Kartika month, commenced in Odisha’s pilgrim town Puri on Sunday with thousands of devotees offering prayers at Shree Jagannath Temple amid tight security.
Notably, Panchuka Brata is being observed for four days this year instead of the traditional five due to the Kshaya Tithi (lunar day omission) on Kartika Shukla Dwadashi. The rituals are being observed from Kartika Ekadashi to Kartika Purnima.
Special arrangements have been made in Shree Jagannath Temple for the sacred occasion. While darshan in the inner sanctum darshan (known as Bhitar Kaatha) remains suspended, devotees are allowed entry through the Singhadwara (Lion Gate) and exit through the other three gates to ensure smooth darshan and crowd movement.
As a large number of devotees are visiting the 12th century shrine on the occasion, the administration has deployed 32 platoons of police force around the temple and key areas to maintain law and order and ensure the safety of pilgrims.
Panchuka Brata, observed during the last five days of Kartika month, holds immense spiritual significance. Devotees follow strict rituals, including abstaining from non-vegetarian food and engaging in prayers and charity.
The temple rituals during this period are conducted with heightened sanctity, and devotees from across Odisha and other states have started arriving in Puri to seek blessings from Lord Jagannath.
