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ATHAGARH/CUTTACK, 2 August (Rupashree Swetapadma Mohanty): A rare spiritual union of the first Monday of the holy month of Shravan and Nag Panchami drew thousands of devotees to the famous Dhabaleswar Temple today. Located on a peaceful island in the Mahanadi River near Athagarh in Cuttack district, the shrine buzzed with devotion from the early hours of the morning.
Temple authorities opened the main gates at 4:00 AM. Thousands of Kanwariyas who carry holy water on their shoulders, poured sacred water over the Shravani Lingam of Baba Dhabaleswar. Continuous chants of "Har Har Mahadev" echoed through the temple complex, creating an atmosphere of deep spiritual energy. 
First Shravan Monday at Dhabaleswar Temple: Thousands Offer Sacred Water!


Devotees Complete Barefoot Journeys

Devotees traveled from villages, towns, and cities across Odisha to seek blessings on this special day. Many walked barefoot for miles, carrying pots filled with water collected from holy rivers, village ponds, and streams.
Inside the shrine, worshippers viewed Lord Shiva dressed in his beloved Bada Singhara Besha (traditional divine attire). Devotees offered flowers, leaves, and sacred water as they prayed for peace and prosperity for their families.

The Famous Legend of the White Bull

A famous mythology explains how the temple earned the name Dhabaleswar. In the Odia language, Dhabala means pure white, and Eshwar refers to Lord Shiva. Together, the name means the "God of Pure White."
According to local legend, a thief once stole a black bull from a nearby village. When the bull's owner and royal guards pursued him, the terrified thief escaped to a quiet island in the Mahanadi River. Cornered and desperate, the thief prayed sincerely before the island's ancient Shiva lingam for protection. Lord Shiva answered his prayers with a miracle. When the royal guards arrived, they saw a pure white bull instead of the stolen black bull. The guards let the man go, and from that day forward, devotees called the deity Baba Dhabaleswar to honor the miracle of the white bull.

Daily Rituals and Special Feast

Temple priest Kriti Pati spoke about the significance of the day. "Today brings the rare blessing of the first Shravan Monday together with Nag Panchami," he said. "Devotees wait all year for this day. Baba Dhabaleswar always fulfills the pure desires of those who pray to him."
The temple schedule included several traditional rituals throughout the day:

Administration Ensures Pilgrim Safety

The Athagarh local administration made extensive arrangements to protect the huge crowd of visiting pilgrims. Because water levels remained high in the Mahanadi River, officials took strict safety steps. The administration stationed ODRAF (Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force) rescue teams and life jackets at all major river ghats. Police forces guarded the famous hanging bridge and managed barricades to keep foot traffic moving smoothly. Authorities set up free drinking water stations and first-aid medical camps along the routes to help exhausted travelers.