Sambalpur: Preparations are going on for lighting more than 1 lakh ‘Diyas’ (earthen lamps) on the banks of river Mahanadi in Odisha’s Sambalpur to celebrate the ‘Pran Pratistha’ at Ram Mandir in Ayodhya on January 22.
Several social organisations have joined hands to make the celebration a memorable one. Their members along with the volunteers and local people will participate in lighting 1,11,111 Diyas on the banks of Mahanadi on the day.
They have procured the earthen lamps from different places in the city and also potters in nearby villages. “The location for lighting the lamps identified for the event has been cleaned. We will wash and dry the lamps in sunlight before putting ghee and oil with wicks for lighting those on the historic occasion,” said a member of an organisation.
They have also invited nine priests from Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh to perform Mahanadi Aarti on the occasion. After the completion of Arati, sweets will be distributed among the people, he said.
Marwadi Yuva Manch, Hanuman Temple Committee, Mahila Naba Chetana, Veer Bajrangi, Parasuram Bhawan and Brahmana Mahila Samiti will participate in organising the celebration.
