The holiest 'Panchaka' (The last five days of the month of Kartika) is being celebrated amid religious fervor and serenity in Odisha from today.
Cuttack, Nov 23: The holiest 'Panchaka' (The last five days of the month of Kartika) is being celebrated amid religious fervor and serenity in Odisha from today.
On the first day, devotees started visiting the Lord Dhabaleswar Temple on Cuttack city outskirts. The thick crowd was also marked at major Shiva temples like Lingaraj Temple in Bhubaneswar, Loknath Temple in Puri, Akhandalamani Temple at Aradi in Bhadrak district, Chandrasekhar Temple at Kapilas, Gupteswar Temple in Koraput district.
The last five days of the holy month of Kartika are celebrated as Panchaka at all Hindu households across the State. Colorful Muruja (Art in color dust) is drawn at Tulsi Chaura Every morning. People visit Shiva temples and offer prayers to the Lord early in the morning. Though this religious practice is marked throughout the month, people adopt the ritual during the Panchaka amid religious fervor and serenity. Almost all Hindu people eat veg food during this Panchaka.
Shri Dhabaleswar Temple witnesses the thronging of lakhs of devotees every day during the Panchaka. Bada Osha, the most sacred puja, is celebrated during these five days. Kartika Purnima is the last day of Panchaka.
