Panchuka begins at Baba Dhabaleswar shrine; Puri Srimandir gears up for four-day observance

The sacred Panchuka Brata commenced at famous shrines across Odisha, including at Baba Dhabaleswar Peeth in Cuttack on Saturday, drawing a large crowd of devotees early on Saturday morning. On the first day, Baba appeared in the Ashutosh Besha. This year, as Panchuka falls over four days instead of five, Baba will appear in five different attires during these days.

A temple priest shared, “The Lord’s Dwara Phita Niti was conducted at 3:00 am, following that, his ceremonial bath with 108 pitchers of fragrant water was also done. After the completion of rituals such as Mangala Alati and the offering of Balya Bhoga, devotees were allowed to have darshan of the Lord.”

Security And Crowd Management

In view of the large gathering, the police administration made extensive arrangements to ensure a smooth and disciplined darshan process. Barricades have been installed from the temple premises up to the concrete bridge. CCTV cameras have been fitted at 32 locations, while ODRAF and Fire Services personnel have also been deployed. A total of 15 platoons of police force have been stationed for crowd regulation.

Additionally, two Additional SPs, eight DSPs, and over 20 IICs have also been deployed for the smooth conduct of the rituals and to maintain order among devotees.

Traffic And Parking Arrangements

Devotees travelling from Cuttack on two-wheelers can proceed from Nuapatna Chhak to the Paikarapur vehicle stand. Those arriving in four-wheelers can travel from Nuapatna Chhak via National Highway 55, take the Bali Chhak–Suniamuhan Road, and reach the Bidyadharpur and Dhabaleswar Fandi Padiya parking zones.

Four-Day Panchuka In Srikshetra

As the holy month of Kartika nears its conclusion, the Panchuka observance will begin on Sunday in Puri Srimandir. This year, the ritual will span four days instead of the usual five. During Panchuka, devotees will be able to have darshan of Lord Jagannath only from the outer wooden barricade or Bahara Katha. On Kartika Purnima, however, devotees will be allowed inner darshan (Bhitara Katha) after the first Bhoga Mandap ritual. Lakhs of devotees are expected to visit Srikshetra during this period.

Tightened Security Measures In Puri

To ensure the safety and convenience of devotees, security has been intensified in Puri. Entry will be permitted only through the Singhadwara, while the other three gates will be designated for exit. Barricades along the Bada Danda have been extended, and 40 platoons of police force will be deployed for crowd control. The police and administration have prioritised orderly movement and the security of all devotees throughout the observance.