Bhubaneswar: Hundreds of habisyalis, intending to stay in Puri during the holy month of Kartik to participate in Kartika Brata, took to the streets in protest after the online registration portal closed unexpectedly, on Thursday.
The 12th-century shrine usually witnesses large footfall of habisyalis during the holy month to observe Radha Damodara Brata also known as Kartika Brata and have darshan of the deities.
The government had announced arrangements for the accommodation of habisyalis. As per the announcement, habisyalis intending to observe the Radha Damodar Brata at government expense have been asked to register their names online from October 6. Registration was supposed to remain open from November 6 to 11. However, the portal was shut down just one day after it opened. As a result, many habisyalis failed to register their names to avail the accommodation facilities.
The abrupt closure of the registration portal has sparked chaos, leaving habisyalis stranded. Finding no other go, they launched a protest outside the Brundaban Ashram on Thursday.
With no accommodation available, habisyalis demanded that the administration provide alternative arrangements.
Upon being informed, Puri District Additional Collector and Sub-Collector arrived to pacify the agitating habisyalis, assuring them that registered pilgrims would be prioritized for accommodation, followed by unregistered ones if space permits.
