Bhubaneswar: Ram temples across the state were beautifully decorated with flowers and lights, drawing large crowds throughout the day as devotees celebrated Ram Navami on Sunday.
Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati and chief minister Mohan Majhi also visited the Ram Temple in Bhubaneswar.
Religious processions featuring large cut-outs of Lord Ram were taken out in several cities, including Bhubaneswar, Rourkela, Sambalpur, Balasore and Bhadrak. Police made elaborate arrangements to ensure the smooth conduct of the celebrations.
In Balasore, a grand procession passed through the town, with people from diverse communities coming together to celebrate. Similarly, Bhadrak, known for its elaborate Ram Navami festivities, saw extensive preparations by the local police. A colourful Sankirtan procession featured over 80 elaborately decorated tableaux representing various localities across the district. The procession moved through the town and was scheduled to culminate at ‘Gandhi Padia’ with a ceremonial offering at midnight.
Special Ramcharitmanas and Ramayan reading sessions were held, along with special events and processions across the state.
Meanwhile, in Puri, the traditional chariot-making work for Rath Yatra began on the auspicious occasion of Ram Navami, marking the start of preparations for the state’s biggest religious festival.
The annual car festival of Lord Lingaraj Rukuna Rath, the pulling of which started on Saturday and covered about 200 meters, resumed on Sunday. The chariot reached Mausi Maa temple, with devotees in large numbers participating in the pulling of the chariot.