Dhenkanal: Pramod Parida aka Chintu Baba travels all the way from Dhenkanal to Jagannath Temple in Puri thrice a week to offer basil leaves, flowers and vegetables. He has been doing this since 2016.
The COVID-19 lockdown, however, had put brakes to it. He then approached the district collector for permission and was finally allowed to visit the temple for a day.
“While on my way to the temple, I received a call from one Abani Babu. He informed me that the collector had given me a pass, allowing me to travel to Puri till May 3,” he said, adding that “Lockdown is really a good step for our safety. We should strictly follow the rules.”
Chintu Baba belongs to Ekagharia village under Odpada block in Dhenknal district. Ekagharia village is famous for Bhaktakabi Dinakrushna Das’ Sadhana Pitha, which is known as Sarana Shrikhetra.
The people of Ekagharia village help him collect basil leaf, different types of vegetables, and flowers. Some organisations in Puri and Dhenkanal have also been lending a helping hand to him.
