Odisha Celebrates Ram Navami with Joyful Processions Amidst Tight Security
Festive Celebrations Across Odisha
On Sunday, devotees flocked to temples and participated in lively processions to mark the celebration of Ram Navami throughout Odisha. The festivities were largely peaceful, with a single incident of violence reported in Soro, Balasore district.
Authorities stated that a man suffered injuries to his head and hands after being attacked by a group, necessitating his hospitalization in Soro.
In a commendable act of communal unity, members of the Muslim community in Balasore's district headquarters showered flower petals on a Ram Navami procession. They also provided water bottles to participants at Arada Bazaar, embodying the spirit of camaraderie.
A local Muslim woman expressed, "For many years, Hindus and Muslims have celebrated significant festivals together. Only a few misguided individuals cause disturbances occasionally. We hope the bond of brotherhood between our communities remains strong forever."
Cities such as Sambalpur, Bhubaneswar, Rajgangpur (Sundargarh district), Bhadrak, Malkangiri, and Kendrapara witnessed bike rallies and processions in honor of the occasion.
To maintain order, the Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) and Odisha Police were deployed statewide, as confirmed by a police official.
Sambalpur, which experienced communal unrest in 2023, was heavily fortified with 15 platoons of police, BSF, and CRPF personnel. The city utilized 113 CCTV cameras and drones to monitor the situation and prevent any incidents.
In Bhadrak district, 26 platoons were stationed, while Cuttack city had 25 platoons of police on duty. Similar security measures were implemented in Balasore and other sensitive regions.
As thousands of devotees visited Ram temples across the state, special rituals took place at the Jagannath Temple in Puri.
In Bhubaneswar, worshippers gathered at Sri Ram Temple, where processions proceeded under stringent security measures.
Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati also attended the celebrations at the Ram Mandir.