The Puri district administration and police have made comprehensive arrangements for the arrival of Habisyalis—widowed women devotees who stay in Puri during the holy Kartika month.
Thousands of women from across Odisha will spend the sacred period in prayer, fasting, and devotion.
Accommodation and Facilities
With large crowds expected, the authorities have focused on safety, cleanliness, and comfort at all designated lodging centres.
Five key facilities have been prepared for the devotees: Brundabati Nibas, Narendra Kona, Railway Kalyan Mandap, Bagala Dharmashala, and Mochisahi Municipality Kalyan Mandap.
Each centre offers clean drinking water, sanitation services, and round-the-clock police protection. The Puri Municipality has also arranged continuous water supply and power backup for all camps.
Security and Crowd Management
To oversee the arrangements, an Additional Superintendent of Police (SP) has been appointed, supported by six Inspectors and six Sub-Inspectors. Police personnel are stationed at every lodging site to ensure safety and discipline.
Dedicated police teams have also been deployed at major holy ponds and tanks such as Narendra Pushkarini, Swetaganga, Markandeya Tank, and Indradyumna Pond, where devotees gather daily for rituals and holy dips.
The police have set up control rooms and patrolling units to monitor movement, prevent overcrowding, and respond quickly to any emergency.
Peaceful and Devout Atmosphere
Speaking to the media, the Superintendent of Police said that all necessary measures have been taken to ensure that devotees can perform their rituals peacefully.
Continuous patrolling and close coordination between departments will help maintain a secure and serene environment throughout the holy month
