Mondays of Kartik become picnickers’ favourites in Silk city Berhampur

Lord Shiva worshiped on the Kartik Mondays
BERHAMPUR: Families used Mondays of Hindu month of Kartik for picnicking with a religious fervour. The four Mondays of Kartik are used by Hindu families of South Orissa for the worship of Lord Shiva. With the advancement of communication they have started to use these days for family picnics near some Shiva temple amidst nature. Since morning a huge rush was seen at the Shiva temples of the Silk city as well as at the temples on its outskirts. Most of the city dwellers preferred to spend the day at the Shiva temples at scenic spots like Ghatakeswar or Dhavaleswar on the outskirts of the city near Gopalpur-On-Sea for their family gettogether and picnic.

Hundreds of families were seen cooking their food on the beach near Dhavaleswar temple near Gopalpur. Families from different parts of Ganjam district and South Orissa had come over to this beach to observe religious rituals and enjoy a family gettogether for a whole day. “Usually we do not get a chance to spend a whole day in fun and frolic with the family. At least the religious fervour of Kartik Mondays serves as an excuse for a family picnic,” Mita Lenka said. Similar was the scene near Dhavaleswar temple where families enjoyed the serenity of the jungle and the jungle stream that passes by.
Almost all families cooked pure vegetarian food without using onion and garlic. As per tradition spices and oils are avoided in food during the month of Kartik.
The new generation has also started leaving out oil and spices from food on four Mondays of the month. Due to it even grand parents who observe kartik penance could be included in most of the family picnics on these Mondays. On this Monday several traders of the city prefere to shut down their shops to enjoy the day with their families.

Courtesy: The Hindu