Special ceremony held in memory of Saraswati

dnaindia.com, 8th September, 2008

BHUBANESWAR: Amid an impregnable security net in Orissa's riot-ravaged Kandhamal district, a special ceremony in memory of slain Laxmanananda Saraswati was held at his ashram at Chakapada near here Sunday.
All six entry points to Kandhamal were sealed to prevent anti-social elements from entering the violence-hit district during the Saraswati's 16th day rituals called 'shodasha mahotsav', District Collector Krishan Kumar said.
Chakapada, where Saraswati was given samadhi after being gunned down on August 23, was converted into a fortress with the deployment of five companies of paramilitary forces, he said, adding five entry points to Chakapada as part of the steps taken to prevent any untoward incident.
Even approach routes through forests from Kalahandi, Rayagada, Gajapati, Ganjam and Nayagarh districts were sealed with heavy force deployment, a senior police officer said, adding no vehicle or group was allowed to enter the district and go anywhere near Chakapada, about 265 km from here.
Day curfew continued in Tikabali, Balliguda and K Nuagaon areas as a precautionary measure, while in six other places it was relaxed for varied durations, he said.
"The situation is peaceful during the 16th day ceremony of the Swamiji," Revenue Divisional Commissioner (Southern division) Satyabrata Sahu said.
Saraswati's followers and others mainly from within the district joined 'shodasha mahotsav', which involved special prayers, sankirtan, chanting of shlokas, samadhi pratistha and anna yagyan, one by one as groups were not allowed entry.