Bada Osha 2025: Devotees Throng Dhabaleswar and Puri Temples Amid Grand Rituals and Tight Security
On the final Monday of Kartika, Odisha witnessed a surge of spiritual fervour as thousands of devotees gathered at Dhabaleswar Temple in Cuttack and Jagannath Temple in Puri to celebrate the sacred festival of Bada Osha.
The island shrine of Lord Dhabaleswar came alive with chants of “Har Har Mahadev,” incense smoke, and the divine ‘Bada Singhar’ besha adorning the deity.
Rituals commenced at 4 AM with the ceremonial sanctum opening, followed by the ritual bath using 108 pitchers of holy water and the Mangala Alati. Devotees crossed the Mahanadi via pedestrian bridges and ferries, braving the early morning chill to seek blessings.
To manage the massive turnout, Cuttack district authorities deployed over 100 police personnel, 15 platoons of armed forces, and installed CCTV surveillance across key points. Volunteers assisted senior citizens and differently-abled devotees, while health and fire services remained on standby.
Meanwhile, in Puri, the Panchuka observance drew large crowds to Srimandir, where Lord Jagannath appeared in the ‘Adikia’ or ‘Tribikram’ besha, adorned with golden ornaments symbolising cosmic stride. The sight marked one of the most spiritually significant moments of the Kartika month.
Both temples showcased seamless crowd management, elaborate rituals, and deep devotion, culminating in a grand spiritual finale to Kartika.
