Sambalpur; Thousands of devotees gathered at Samaleswari temple in Sambalpur town to have a glimpse of ‘Dhabalamukhi Besha’ (white attire) ritual of the deity on the occasion of the Mahalaya on Sunday. The Goddess Samaleswari remains in red costume round the year except on Mahalaya, the day on which people make “Pind daan” to their forefathers. Devotees from across the district and neighbouring areas made a beeline for the temple from the wee hours to witness the Dhabalamukhi Besha of the goddess. Goddess Samaleswari will remain in ‘Dhabalamukhi Besha’ till Tuesday afternoon,” said Samaleswari Temple Trust Board president Sanjaya Babu. After the Mahalaya, from Monday, Navaratra Puja begins and continues for nine days in the Samaleswari temple.