Sambalpur, Apr 14: To mark the occasion of ‘Hanuman jayanti’ here, the well-known ‘Akhada’ procession is organised every year by the locals. Hence, this year even the same tradition follows and the youths here from different age groups are rigorously rehearsing to make their skills and techniques more sharp and clean. They rehearse using ‘lathi’, ‘mudgar’, ‘gada’ at the ‘Akhada Salas’ here and are almost ready. The ‘Akhada Salas’ is carried out all over the city for the Hanuman procession that will be brought out today at 7 pm.
A trainer at the Hatapada Akhada Sala stated that based o the directive issued by the district administration skills in lathi, gada and mudgar will be displayed by the youths. The trainer also pointed out as to why this ‘Akhada’ is organized, he said that during ancient times people used to practice Akhada as a sport for keeping fir and improving self-defence skills. Hence, this procession is a way to retain the ancient belief once again. He further went on to say that he also used to undergo training of Akhada skills given by his seniors and now he is imparting the training lessons inculcated by him to his juniors.
On the other hand, devotees are seen in a cue ahead of temples here for offering their prayers to Lord Hanuman. Hanuman Jayanti is celebrated all over Odisha on Maha Visuba Sankranti.
