Bhubaneswar: Thousands of Habishyalis headed towards pilgrim town Puri and Lingaraj temple here as Kartika, the holy month of Hindu calendar, began today in Odisha.

Special arrangements have been made by the Puri district administration to facilitate puja rituals of Radha Damodar by the Habishyalis. Besides, the administration has set up Habishyali Kendras at four places in Puri town-- Railway Jatri Niwas, Railway Kalyan Mandap, Jagannath Ballav Bakhyan Kendra and Municipality Kalyan Mandap.

Services like accomodation and food will be provided to around 2,500 Habishyalis at these four places.

During the whole month of Kartika, Habishyalis refrain from eating non-vegetarian foods. The last five days of the month are considered more sacred during which there is wide participation. Taken together, the days are called 'Panchaka', the last day being the Kartika Purnima. Everyday, they take food only once in the afternoon which is known as 'Habisha'.