As thousands of devotees gathered for the auspicious "Bada Osha" celebrations on the final Monday of the holy Kartika month, the famed Dhabaleswar shrine in the Cuttack district came alive with the sound of conch shells, chanting, and the aroma of incense.
Today, one of the holiest days of the Shaivite celebration calendar, Lord Dhabaleswar wore the lavish "Bada Singhar" garment.
Mark of Early Rituals According to on-the-ground sources in Bada Osha, temple ceremonies started at 4 am with the ceremonial opening of the sanctum (known as "pahadakholaa"), which was followed by the traditional Mangala Alati and a holy bath with 108 pitchers of water.

The "Bada Singhar" ornaments, a highly symbolic representation of Lord Shiva that devotees believe bestows divine blessing and desire fulfilment, were placed on Baba Dhabaleswar after the ceremonial cleaning.
A constant flow of worshippers crossed the Mahanadi to get to the Dhabaleswar island temple starting in the early morning, according to the reports. Chants of "Har Har Mahadev" could be heard resonating down the riverfront as long lines formed on the ferry routes and pedestrian bridge.
Large-Scale Security Implementation to Control Crowd
The district government of Cuttack has put in place substantial security measures in response to the large number of people who attended the final Monday of Kartika.

To control the crowd, maintain order, and enable a smooth darshan, reports state that two more SPs, two executive magistrates, 100 police officers, and 15 platoons of police force have been sent in. Additionally, CCTV cameras and control devices have been installed at the temple's entrance and exit.
Volunteers and police officers have been stationed along the riverbank and adjacent bridge to help senior worshippers and avoid crowding. Throughout the day, fire and health service units are also available.

Puri Srimandir Continues Its Festive Devotion
In Puri, a large number of people visited the Jagannath Temple on the second day of the revered Panchuka celebration.
In the "Adikia" or "Tribikram" besha, where the deities are adorned with golden jewellery like "ghagadamali," "padmamali," "barakolimala," and "sripayar," devotees gathered in lengthy lines to see Lord Jagannath. Known as one of the month's most spiritually charged events, the ornate clothing represents Lord Jagannath's cosmic stride.