Odisha government sanctions Rs 3.30 crore for Kartika Habishyali Brata in Puri
The funds will provide accommodation, Mahaprasad, and logistical support for women observing the religious ritual in Puri.
The Odisha government has sanctioned Rs 3.30 crore to provide facilities and logistical support for the Habishyali brata in Puri, according to Odisha Bytes.
The Odia Language, Literature and Culture Department approved the fund to assist women observing the religious ritual during the month of Kartika.
The money will be used for safe accommodation at designated centres, Lord Jagannath darshan, Mahaprasad, and cultural programmes such as bhajan-kirtan.
Arrangements include transportation, volunteer deployment, crowd management, sanitation, drinking water, and uninterrupted electricity to assist devotees.
BJD spokesperson Lenin Mohanty criticised the state government, alleging that elderly women observing the Kartik brata were mistreated, pushed, and abused.
Mohanty stated that no financial assistance could restore the dignity of the elderly devotees and advised the government to make arrangements keeping senior citizens in mind.