Kiratarjuna Besha of Lord Shiva to be held at Dhabaleswar Temple sans devotees

Cuttack: The rare Kiratarjuna Besha of Lord Shiva will be held at the Dhabaleswar Temple after 25 years on the occasion of Bada Osha today.

As the Panchuka is being observed six days in Kartika month this year, Lord Shiva will adorn the Kirata attire after 25 years on Bada Osha, informed the priests body of the temple today.

On the occasion of Bada Osha, the temple opened at 3.30 am and the Lord accorded the holy bath with 108 pitchers of aromatic water. Later, the rituals for Kiratarjuna Besha will be performed by a group of servitors at the temple.

The famous Gaja Bhoga will be offered to the Lord at midnight, said senior priest Paramananda Patri.

However, the devotees will be barred from entering into the shrine on the auspicious occasion to have glimpse of Lord Shiva in Kirata avtar due to Covid-19 restrictions.

The prohibitory orders under section 144 have been imposed around the temple restricting the devotees to visit the temple today.