Vajpayee’s Ashes Immersed In Gania of Nayagarh

Bhubaneswar: As part of the BJP’s ‘Asthi Kalash Yatra’ across the country, the urn containing the ashes of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee was taken to Nayagarh district in a grand procession on Monday.

The ashes of the former Prime Minister were immersed in the Gania Routpada Mahanadi Ghat of Nayagarh district.

The ‘Asthi Kalash’ was first taken to Ranapur and then Nayagarh.

Later, the urn was taken to Gania through Khandapada, Bhapur and Kantilo. BJP workers also started a bike rally along with the procession from Khadapada.

Many people including BJP workers welcomed the grand procession in different chhaks and bazaars.

Former Minister Surama Padhi, former MLA of Khandapada Siddharth Sekhar Singh, BJP leader Lala Manoj Ray and district BJP president Sanyyasi Nayak took part in the procession.

The ashes of the former Prime Minister were immersed in the Mahodadhi (Bay of Bengal) in Puri on August 23 in the presence of senior BJP leaders including Basanta Panda, KV Singhdeo, Dharmendra Pradhan and Bhrugu Buxtipatra.

Before the immersion, the ashes were taken for a parikrama around the Jagannath Temple. On the same day, the ashes were taken in a huge procession from the BJP state headquarters in Bhubaneswar.

People in thousands waiting on both sides of the road offered floral tributes to the departed soul.

The ashes, which were received by the BJP state president, Basanta Panda from the Minister of External Affairs, Sushma Swaraj in New Delhi on August 22 were brought to the state capital in a flight. Later, they were kept at the BJP state headquarters for the people to pay their last tribute.

An all-party memorial meeting at the Exhibition Ground in Bhubaneswar was also held on Friday afternoon.

BJP state vice president Samir Mohanty said the ashes of the former Prime Minister would be immersed in Mahanadi, Baitarani and Rushikulya rivers in phases. Besides, prayer meetings will also be organised in all districts and zones.