Athagarh, Nov 3: The grand Bada Osha festival, the most significant celebration of the Kartik month, is being held with immense enthusiasm today at the revered Shaivite shrine of Lord Dhableswar in Athagarh. Thousands of devotees have gathered to participate in the spiritual rituals and seek the blessings of the deity, who is adorned in a majestic lion's attire for the occasion.

The temple gates opened at 3 AM to mark the commencement of the festivities. Following a series of sacred rites, the temple doors were opened to the public, allowing devotees to offer their prayers. A large crowd has already formed, lining up in reverence to the deity. Today, during the auspicious period between the 13th and 14th lunar days, the temple will present the much-anticipated ‘Gajabhog’ (a special food offering) and ‘Taran’ (another traditional offering), which are particularly beloved by Lord Dhableswar.

The chief priests of the temple, observing the 14th lunar day, have taken a solemn vow and prepared for the grand offering. The tradition of Bada Osha is thought to have originated during the Christian era, around the 9th or 10th century, and has since become a vital part of the religious calendar.

As per custom, the women of the temple family undertook a ceremonial bath and fasted, performing worship at home using a 'Dhinki'. They prepared ‘Arua Rice’ to create the Gajabhog offering. This food is then offered to the deity with deep devotion and care, symbolizing gratitude and divine love.

In response to the large number of devotees, extensive security measures have been implemented at the Dhableswar Temple.

Police and administrative officials have setup multiple checkpoints. Special attention has been given to managing traffic to ensure smooth access for the devotees. Furthermore, fire safety teams and ODRAF (Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force) personnel have been deployed as a precautionary measure.