The district administration of Cuttack has enforced strict prohibitory orders on entry of people into the famous Dhabaleswar Temple and its adjoining areas to prevent gathering of large crowd during the Panchaka, Anla Navami and Bada Osha festivals as per Covid protocols.
Section 144 of the CrPC has been clamped in and around the shrine from November 12 (today) till November 19 (Kartik Purnima).
Anla Navami (Nov 12), Bada Osha (Nov 17) and Panchaka Brata, the last five days of the holy Kartik Month (Nov 15 to 19) are some of the major rituals that attract thousands of devotees to the 16th century shrine every year.
Anticipating huge crowd and subsequently violation of protocol under COVID-19 pandemic, the the Executive Magistrate, Athagarh has restrained public from entering the shrine till the aforementioned period.
Police have been instructed to strictly enforce the restrictions on the movement of public at Dhabaleswar Main Gate, Toll gate of Hanging Bridge and Dhabaleswar Beat House at Mancheswar.
During the period, only sevayats will be allowed to enter the shrine and perform necessary rituals.
On the other hand, Puri district authorities have also clamped Section 144 in and around the temple of Lord Gopinath at Sakhigopal to prevent congregation of people on the occassion of Anla Navami today.
Lakhs of people throng the temple during the festival of Anla Navami to witness the lotus feet of Goddess Radha, in a ritual called Radha Pada Darshan on this auspicious occassion.