Berhampur, Mar 18: Thousands of devotees throng the Tara Tarini shrine in Ganjam district as today marks the first Tuesday of the Chaitra month.
Devotees are seen gathering in large numbers at the temple atop the hill, seeking blessings and participating in rituals.
Adorned in lively decorations, the temple atop Ratnagiri hills greeted thousands of devotees, with queues forming from the wee hours of the day.
Arrangements have been made at the foot of the hill for Mundan, the age-old practice where the hair of newborn babies get shaved from their head with a belief that goddess Tara Tarini will protect the newborns from evils.
To manage the large number of pilgrims, the district administration has made inclusive arrangements, such as resting areas, drinking water facilities, and traffic control.
The Chaitra festival is one of the most important celebrations at the Tara Tarini temple. Devotees gather to offer prayers to the deities at the Bije Pitha.
