Bridge safety blow to Dhabaleswar temple fest

CUTTACK: The district administration on Tuesday cancelled the popular 'Bada Osa' festival, scheduled to be held at Dhabaleswar temple on November 7, keeping in mind the safety of devotees who would have had to take the suspension bridge to reach the temple.
A day earlier, Cuttack authorities had clamped prohibitory orders on the suspension bridge and restrict visitors to the temple after the death of more than 130 people in Gujarat bridge collapse.
"Looking at the safety of the people, we have cancelled the Bada Osa festival at Dhabaleswar temple," Cuttack district collector Bhabani Shankar Chayani said.
The devotees have been restricted from visiting the Dhabaleswar temple amid concern regarding the safety of the 254-metre suspension bridge connecting the temple on the Mahanadi river, Chayani informed. "The rituals will be performed by priests but no congregation will be allowed in the temple," he added.
On Tuesday an inspection of the suspension bridge was carried out. "An expert team from Kolkata and officials of the works department are engaged in the inspection work," said Hemanta Swain, sub-collector, Athagarh. "The works department will submit a report regarding the condition of the bridge. Accordingly, a decision will be taken on its repair," Swain added.
Dhabaleswar temple, the 10th century shrine of Lord Shiva, is located on the embankment of Mahanadi river. Major rituals are held in the Hindu holy month of Kartik and attracts a large number of devotees. The bridge over Mahanadi, which links the temple to the landmass, was constructed in 2006 and has a capacity to carry 600 people at a time.