ABINASH SAHU 
The Ram Mandir situated in the Saptasajya hills of the Dhenkanal district has limited its celebrations and special rituals of Ram Navami today due to the strict guidelines imposed by the state government in view of galloping Covid-19 cases in the state. The devotees were barred from entering the temple premises following which many pilgrims returned back home being disappointed.
Thousands of devotees throng to the temple every year on this auspicious occasion but since the last year, the temple hardly witnessed any gatherings. Last year, no devotees were allowed to attend the rituals inside the temple as there was a complete lockdown in the country amid the outbreak of the pandemic but as the situation improved and the religious institutions reopened, the devotees hoped to visit the temple on this special occasion.
However, the resurgence of the second wave of Covid-19 ramshackle all the hopes of the devotees as no one was allowed to have darshan inside the temple premises as per the restrictions clamped down by the district administration to curb the rise in Covid-19 cases in the district.
Only few people who have kept fasting for nine days and some other people including the priests and their families, those who were related to the rituals were allowed for the darshan inside the temple.
“Covid-19 has ruined the celebrations of Ram Navami since last year, every year thousands of devotees come here for the darshan whereas devotees are not being allowed for entering into the temple since last year. People are returning disappointed and the temple looks very deserted without the devotees,” said Gyana Ranjan Mohanty, a visitor.
The police force was been deployed to maintain the law and order from 8 am onwards. Sources also said that some devotees managed to have the darshan early morning when the force was not been deployed.
On the other hand, the corridors of the temple have been decorated with marigold flowers resembling an enchanting view to behold, and Ram Charit Manas was read along with Yajnas performed inside the premises.
Worth mentioning, Saptasajya is situated in the south direction of Dhenkanal town, and it is about 11 KMS in distance from Dhenkanal town. Saptasajya beholds a holy vibe with its connection to the Purana and mythologists mentioning that Lord Rama, Laxman, and Sita spent several days on this hill during his exile from Ayodhya. Some mythologists also claim that the five Pandavas stayed here for a few days during their incognito period. The idols of Lord Ram, Laxman, and Sita along with the five Pandavas are worshipped here who were believed to have spent time in these hills.
Image Courtesy: Gyana Ranjan Mohanty
