Puri, Odisha: Puri Habisyalis observing the holy month of Kartik have reportedly faced difficulties over accommodation and registration at Vrundabati Niwas, raising concerns about arrangements for elderly devotees visiting the pilgrimage town to perform their religious rituals.
According to the information provided, hundreds of devotees reportedly arrived at the facility early in the morning without registration and found no accommodation available. Some were left sitting outside the premises overnight, unable to secure shelter as they had hoped to observe the Kartik rituals and seek darshan of Mahaprabhu Shri Jagannath.
The reported situation left several devotees distressed, with elderly women seen crying amid uncertainty over where they could stay. The incident has drawn attention to the challenges faced by pilgrims travelling to Puri during one of Odisha’s significant religious observances.
Allegations of Mistreatment at Vrundabati Niwas
Allegations have also emerged regarding the treatment of devotees gathered outside the accommodation facility. According to the supplied account, water was allegedly sprayed on the devotees, while police personnel were accused of holding them by their arms, dragging them and pushing them around.
These allegations have raised questions about how the situation was handled and whether adequate arrangements were available to manage the influx of devotees. However, the available information does not establish the circumstances surrounding the alleged actions or provide an official response from the administration or police.
The incident has added to the distress of pilgrims who travelled to Puri with the expectation of observing the month-long religious practices in a suitable environment.
Aadhaar Discrepancies Create Problems for Registered Devotees
Apart from the reported accommodation shortage, concerns have also been raised about registration and identity verification at Habisyali camps in Puri.
According to the supplied information, some devotees who had completed registration allegedly faced difficulties entering the camps because of discrepancies in their Aadhaar records. These reportedly included age details showing applicants as being above 80 years old, as well as errors in their names.
Some elderly women were reportedly asked to return home despite travelling to Puri to observe the Habisya rituals. The situation has raised concerns about how identity-related discrepancies are being handled and whether affected devotees are receiving an opportunity to resolve errors in their records.
For elderly pilgrims, such difficulties can be particularly challenging after travelling to a major pilgrimage destination and making arrangements to participate in religious observances.
The available information does not clarify how many registered devotees were affected by the alleged discrepancies or what procedures, if any, were offered to resolve their cases.
Questions Over Arrangements for Kartik Pilgrims
The reported incidents highlight two separate concerns: accommodation for devotees arriving without confirmed registration and verification issues affecting some people who reportedly registered in advance.
Clear communication about registration requirements, accommodation availability and procedures for correcting identity-record errors could help pilgrims understand their options before travelling. Accessible assistance for elderly devotees may also be important when discrepancies arise during verification.
At the same time, the allegations regarding the treatment of devotees require clarification from the authorities concerned. An official account would help establish what happened at the facility and what steps, if any, are being taken to address the reported difficulties.
The supplied information does not include a response from the district administration or other responsible authorities. It is therefore unclear whether any review of the incidents or corrective measures has been announced.
As concerns continue over the arrangements for Kartik pilgrims, the reported difficulties faced by Puri Habisyalis underline the importance of transparent registration procedures, adequate accommodation planning and respectful treatment of elderly devotees visiting the holy town.
