Bhubaneswar: On the last Monday of the sacred Kartika month, the revered Dhabaleswar shrine in Cuttack district came alive with spiritual fervour as thousands of devotees gathered to celebrate the auspicious ‘Bada Osha’ festival. The air resonated with the sound of conch shells, devotional chants, and the fragrance of incense, marking one of the holiest days dedicated to Lord Shiva.
Temple sources reported that the rituals began at 4 a.m. with the ceremonial opening of the sanctum, known as pahadakholaa, followed by the holy bath of the deity with 108 pitchers of water and the traditional Mangala Alati. After the purification rituals, Baba Dhabaleswar was adorned with the divine Bada Singhar decorations — a ritual believed to invoke blessings and fulfil the wishes of devotees.
From the early hours, a steady stream of pilgrims made their way across the Mahanadi River to reach the Dhabaleswar island temple. Long queues were seen on both the pedestrian suspension bridge and ferry routes, with chants of “Har Har Mahadev” echoing along the riverbanks.
Similar scenes of devotion were witnessed at the Lingaraj Temple in Bhubaneswar, where large numbers of devotees performed special prayers and offerings as part of the Bada Osha observance.
The festival, observed during the holy Kartika month, holds immense significance for Lord Shiva’s devotees, symbolising purification, faith, and spiritual fulfilment.
-OdishaAge
