Online registration for Habisyali Brata begins in Odisha

Ahead of the holy Kartik month, the online registration for Habisyali Brata has started and it will continue till October 11, official sources said on Sunday.

The Habisyalis can register themselves by visiting the official website- district.odisha.gov.in. Those who have not registered themselves on the portal will not be allowed to avail the facilities provided by the State government.

According to sources, arrangements for accommodation of 2500 habisyalis will be made at four places- Brundabati Niwas, Bagala Dharmasala, Puri Municipality Kalyan Mandap and Akshaya Patra building.

Like previous years, all facilities including the provision of free Mahaprasad, transportation to and from the Srimandir, and the healthcare facilities will be made available to them, sources informed.

As per the calendar, the month-long Habisyali Brata will commence on October 18.

It is worthwhile to mention here that the Odisha government has allocated Rs 2.75 crore for the Habisyalis in Puri.

Worth mentioning, Kartika is considered a holy month in the Hindu calendar. Elderly women and widows perform Radha Damodar Puja, eat only once a day during Kartika month and remain engaged in religious activities.

Every year thousands of elderly women from across the state congregate in Puri and observe 'Kartika Brata' by worshipping the 'Tulsi' plant and visiting Lord Jagannath temple. The women performing "Habisa" avoid eating vegetables like gourds, brinjal, several pulses and other leafy vegetables for the whole month.