BHUBANESWAR: More than 5000 devotees of the Capital offered their prayers and performed several rituals on the occasion of Ram Navami at Ram Mandir here Saturday
Special security arrangements were done to help devotees enjoy a hassle-free ‘darshan’ of the deity. A special ‘Havan’ and ‘Recitation’ of Ram Charita Manas were also conducted on the occasion. A priest Puspak Maharaj said, “Today is the ‘Janma utsav’ of Lord Ram and we are performing this havan to appease him. Special Prasad has been cooked for all the devotees who collected it with coupons.”
Scout and guide personnel were also deployed to sprinkle water on people who stood in a queue for more than hours for the darshan. Many Lassi and Pana stalls were also opened at the venue where devotees savored the drinks to beat the scorching heat.
A group of women from Rajasthan were invited on the occasion to sing Parayana of Lord Ram. Dholki player Madhuri Devi was the main attraction as she played her Dholki in the rhythm of devotional songs. From Lotus to Roses, Puja plates were decorated with a lot of flowers to augment the aroma of the festivity.
Although Ram Navami is celebrated across the country, the festivities at Odogaon’s Raghunath Jew temple are much different as it is the original Rampitha (bonafide site) of the state. Situated at a distance of 126 Kms from the state capital, the temple is an example of the rich heritage of the state.
In a brief interaction with Orissa Post, Pradyumna Kumar Dash, secretary, Raghunath jew Pujak Parishad, said, “When Lord Ram was on exile, he went from North to South. He crossed the Raghunath Jew temple, Odagaon, which was Maharshi Atri’s ashram then. Currently the three statues of Lord Ram, Sita and Laxman are made from Neem logs. However, the deities don’t have the ‘Nabakalebar’ ritual.”
“King Narayansingh Mandhatta constructed this temple in sixteenth century. Three Swarna Chakra (gold circles) weighing 15 kg each decorate the ‘vimana’. Every year on Chaitra Sukhlapakhsya Navami tithi, the birthday of Lord Ram is celebrated here amid much fervour,” he added.
Every morning at 4’o clock, the temple door opens and at 5’o clock, Mangala arati is performed. This is followed by Snan Besha, Abakash, Panchamruta Snana, Tadap Lagi, Mailam, Khatani (donning of new clothes), Ballav at 7 AM, Khichdi and Dhoop at 10 AM.
Besides Ram Navami, 24 Ekadasi and 24 Jatrangi (a special ritual) are also performed at the temple. Kavisamrat Upendra Bhanja had composed his magnum opus ‘Baidehisha Vilas’ here at the feet of Sri Raghunath. .
Lord Ram’s favourite ‘Prasad’ is Rabidi. Around 50,000 devotees visit the temple on Ram Navami. This temple is known as Ramapitha of Odisha and an Agyan Mala from the temple is carried to new places where new Ram temples are to be constructed.
The temple is constructed with Baulamala stones. It is surrounded by Sulia and Himadri Pahada or hills. The three Salagrams which were worshipped by Aatri Muni are still revered to this day.