Argus News - Devotees Flock To Dhabaleswar Temple For Panchuka Puja

Athagarh, Nov 1: Thousands of devotees thronged Baba Dhabaleswar Peeth in Athagarh to offer prayers as Panchuka, the final five days of the holy month of Kartika, commenced today.

Devotees flocked to witness the divine adornment of Lord Dhabaleswar in Chandrachuda Besha — a celestial form symbolising serenity and cosmic grace.

In Chandrachuda Besha, Lord Shiva is adorned with a crescent moon on his matted locks, symbolizing his role as the cosmic timekeeper.

Devotees queued for hours to catch a glimpse of the resplendent idol, their chants echoing across the Mahanadi River.

The Panchuka period, culminating on Kartika Purnima (November 5, 2025), is considered highly auspicious in the Hindu calendar. Devotees observe this time with fasting, rituals, and visits to sacred sites, seeking blessings for spiritual upliftment and prosperity.

The Dhabaleswar temple, located on an island in the Mahanadi River, is a major pilgrimage destination during Kartika.

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The temple authorities have made elaborate arrangements to manage the expected influx of lakhs of devotees over the next five days.

Special ferries, sanitation facilities, and security measures have been deployed to ensure smooth darshan and crowd control. The temple is expected to witness even larger crowds, especially for the holy river bath and deep daan (lamp offerings), which mark the culmination of the month-long observances.