Bhubaneswar, Jan 27: The Mahanadi Alati Ghat has been inaugurated with the objective of safeguarding the Mahanadi River, marking a significant step in the region's development. The Fourth Mahanadi Festival, organized by the Mahanadi Festival Committee, was successfully conducted with a series of vibrant programs.

At the auspicious Brahma Muhurat, a special yoga and meditation camp was organized under the guidance of Sunil Sharma, a prominent yoga instructor from Patanjali Yog Peeth in Haridwar. In addition, a Surya Puja (Sun Worship) ceremony was conducted by Lakshmi Vasudev Baidik Pandit, followed by a Vedic group yajna (sacrifice) for world peace.

In the afternoon, devotional bhajans were presented, culminating in the evening with the divine Mahanadi Alati Puja. The ritual was conducted by priests Minuprasad Mishra, Debashish Purohit, and Soumyaranjan Purohit, who performed the ceremony with devotion and precision.

The Chief Guest for the event, Saroj Kumar Pradhan, the Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) and Government spokesperson, emphasized the government's unwavering commitment to the full development of the partially constructed Alati Ghat. He affirmed that the government's dedication will ensure the completion of the project.

Notable guest, Mrityunjay Mishra, President of the N.C.I., also participated in the event and highlighted the successful planning of the Mahanadi Alati Ghat, which, he believes, will eventually be included on the national tourism map.

The event also featured the "Sambardhana Utsav" under the leadership of Debashish Purohit, where Brahmachari Aditya Das conducted a discussion on national security and the role of sanctity in ensuring peace and progress. Several distinguished personalities, including the key contributors to the development of the Alati Ghat and the yoga camp, were awarded the "Shrestha Seva Shiromani" (Best Service Award) for their exceptional contributions.

The program was managed by Nattabar Agrawala, Dilip Kumar Chaudhury, Surya Narayan Panda, Bikash Agrawala, Damodar Mishra, and Arun Pattnaik, whose efforts were instrumental in organizing the smooth flow of the event.

This year’s festival not only highlighted the cultural richness of the Mahanadi River but also reinforced the importance of environmental and spiritual preservation in the region, further cementing Mahanadi's role in Odisha's heritage and future.