Thousands throng Alarnath

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Brahmagiri: A day after Snana Purnima (bathing) ritual of Srimandir deities, thousands of devotees Friday thronged here to have darshan of Lord Alarnath.
As per Srimandir tradition, Lord Jagannath and his siblings Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra catch fever immediately after the bathing ritual and servitors take them to Anasara Gruha (asylum for the sick) for medication.
Consequently, devotees are deprived of having a darshan of the Trinity for 15 days. During this period, many devotees visit Brahmagiri to pay obeisance to Lord Alarnath. It is believed that paying obeisance to Lord Alarnath during the Anasara ritual of Lord Jagannath and his siblings brings one the same virtue which s/he would have got otherwise. At least 10,000 devotees from various parts of state paid obeisance to Lord Alarnath, said sources.
This year, the district administration has asked the shrine authorities to discontinue Paramanik (paid) darshan for devotees. The decision, however, has created discontent among servitors.
Some devotees, meanwhile, expressed displeasure over the district administration’s failure to open a first aid centre at Brahmagiri.