Thousands Throng Temples In Odisha To Celebrate Ram Navami

Bhubaneswar: A large number of devotees queued up at temples across the state to have a darshan of Lord Rama on the occasion of Ram Navami on Sunday. Almost all the shrines of Lord Rama in Bhubaneswar including Ram Mandir (Unit-3) and Chitrakuta Ashram (Unit-9) drew large crowds.

According to a priest of Ram Mandir, darshan for devotees was opened to public following Mangala Alati at 5 am. Other rituals including Srungar Alati, Bhoga Alati, Janmotsav Alati and Pushpanjali were conducted in a systematic manner amidst hymns and religious chants. Besides, Ramcharitmanas was recited by women and saints from Puri to celebrate the birthday of Lord Ram.

Security has been tightened in and around the temple premises to ensure smooth and safe darshan of the God.

In Bhadrak, the district administration and Sriram Mahayajna Samiti have made elaborate arrangements for smooth conduct of Nagar Sankirtan Sobhayatra in the town. A procession of more than 70 idols will be taken out from Nehru Stadium to Gandhi Ground here following Akhand Mahayajna and other rituals of Lord Rama.

Use of internet services have remained suspended in Bhadrak town for 48 hours since Saturday evening as a precautionary measure to avoid misuse of social media during Ram Navami celebrations.

Restriction under Section 144 of CrPC was lifted in the town for five hours for Kalash Sobhayatra of Ram Navami on Saturday.

On Friday, the Orissa High Court had issued an order permitting celebration of Ram Navami in the town which was banned by the state government following communal unrest on April 5 last year after a group of people posted objectionable remarks on Hindu deities on social media.