Devotees to have virtual darshan of Lord Dhabaleswar on LED screen near hanging bridge

Cuttack: Amid closure of Dhabaleswar temple in Odisha’s Cuttack district for public, devotees will be allowed to have darshan of the deity virtually on LED screen near the suspension bridge connecting the temple, informed Cuttack Collector Bhabani Shankar Chayani.

A decision in this regard was taken at a meeting chaired by the official, today.

Gaja Bhoga and other prasads will be available near the hanging bridge, the Collector said.

Worth mentioning, devotees have been restricted to visit the Dhabaleswar temple amid concern regarding the safety of the suspension bridge.

This year’s Dhabaleswar Jatra has been cancelled in view of the imposition of prohibitory orders under Section 144 of CrPC at the temple.

In the wake of Morbi bridge tragedy in Gujarat, the district administration has imposed the restrictions ahead of the Bada Osha and Kartika Purnima festivals.

The shrine, located on an island of Mahanadi river in Cuttack’s Athagarh, draws thousands of devotees during the holy month of Kartika.

Devotees reach the temple either by boats or through the suspension bridge, which was constructed in 2006.

The bridge has been closed for public use after detection of cracks by expert team. Repair work will be undertaken by the district administration.