To appease the Almighty to protect humanity from the coronavirus, the Odisha International Centre (OIC) launched an “Agnihotra Yajna” at the holy Bindu Sagar pond here on Thursday.
Colonel Bisheshwar Rout and his spouse launched the yajna, which would be held for 75 days till December 13.Each day, a couple would sit as Karta to conduct the yajna, which is perceived as germicide in the Veda.
During Samudra Manthan, God Dhanwantari had advised gods to recite “Agnihotra Mantra” and Shree Achyutaya Namah, Shree Antaray Namah and Shree Govindaya Namah to get protection from diseases.
A day after completion of the yajna, one lakh sacred earthen lamps would be lit on the Bada Danda in Puri on the occasion of Diwali on December 14 to propitiate forefathers and to pay tributes to those who died due to coronavirus.
OIC president Paresh Nayak presented Japamali to all devotees present on the occasion.
Jaya Prakash Mishra, Bhabagrahi Shanti, Udaya Kumar Shanti, Ramakanta Mohanty, Indira Mishra and Kumudini Panda coordinated the programme.