Cuttack: In order to prevent any probable spread of COVID-19 in Cuttack, the district administration Monday clamped Section 144 in and around Dhabaleswar Temple ahead of ‘Bada Osha’ and ‘Panchaka’ festivals.
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“Devotees throng the shrine in large numbers during ‘Panchaka’ and ‘Bada Osha’ festivals. Section 144 has been imposed from Paikarapur Chhak to Mancheswar Chhak to check the flow of devotees. During tough times of COVID-19 outbreak, the second wave is expected to hit during this winter,” said Athagarh Sub-Collector Ajambar Mohanty.
However, the prohibitory order will remain effective till ‘Kartika Purnima’. ‘Bada Osha’ rituals will be performed at Lord Dhabaleswar temple this year sans devotees,” the Sub-Collector added.
Notably, it was proposed to clamp prohibitory order under Section 144 at Lord Dhabaleswar shrine in Athagarh, during the preparatory meeting held November 6 for the ‘Bada Osha’ festival.
PNN