Odisha: Bhubaneswar hosts mini-marathon to commemorate Swami Lakshmanananda Saraswati’s Balidan Divas

Bhubaneswar: A mini marathon was held in Bhubaneswar to commemorate Sri Krishna Janmashtami and the Balidan Divas of Swami Lakshmanananda Saraswati. The event, organised by the Swami Lakshmanananda Saraswati Smriti Trust, drew over 3,000 participants, predominantly youngsters, from diverse sections of society. The marathon kicked off at the Exhibition Ground, traversing a route that included Shriram Mandir, Shreya Chowk, Master Canteen, Rajmahal Chowk, and Giridurga Temple, before culminating back at the Exhibition Ground. Following the marathon, a Sankalp Sabha was held near the Exhibition Ground, where saints bestowed their blessings upon the participants.

A galaxy of esteemed saints and spiritual leaders graced the occasion, including: Swami Shraddhanand Saraswati Maharaj, National Sah Sangathan Mantri of Akhil Bharatiya Sant Samiti, Swami Shankaranand Giri Maharaj, President of Eastern India and Odisha, Mahant Ramakrishna Das Maharaj, Head of Radhaballav Math of Odisha, Senior Sanyasi Swami Brahmanand Saraswati Maharaj, Swami Damodaranand Saraswati Maharaj of Divya Jeevan Sangh, Baba Ramesh Maharaj of Mahima Alekh Gadi, Swami Jigyasanand Saraswati Maharaj, Swami Nirbananand Giri, Mahant Krishna Gopal Das Maharaj, Chaitanya Maharaj of Bhubaneswar.These revered saints collectively inaugurated the mini marathon by flagging it off, marking a sacred beginning to the event.

Mansukhlal Sethia, Managing Trustee of Swami Lakshmanananda Saraswati Smriti Nyas, and heads of various social and religious organizations also attended the program, lending their support and reverence

The sants addressing the gathering, shared the remarkable life journey of Swami Lakshmanananda Saraswati, who was born in 1924 in Odisha’s Angul district. After returning from the Himalayas in 1965, Swamiji dedicated himself to combating cow slaughter and religious conversion in Odisha. In 1968, he shifted to Kandhamal district, where he spent over four decades tirelessly working towards the social, religious, and economic upliftment of the region, empowering its people through his selfless efforts.

Swamiji made significant contributions to the education sector by establishing residential school, college, and hostels in Chakpada and Jaleshpata. He also set up satsang centers across all villages in Kandhamal district, helping thousands of tribal people overcome addiction through spiritual gatherings. Swamiji was well-versed in literature, philosophy, agriculture, animal husbandry, and fruit cultivation, which he taught to the tribal communities, empowering them with sustainable skills. As a staunch protector of tribal culture, Swamiji courageously stood against forced religious conversions by Christian missionaries, who exploited the vulnerable using deceit, fraud, and greed. His unwavering stance made him a constant target of their hostility.

On the sacred occasion of Janmashtami, August 23, 2008, at 7:30 pm, assailants attacked  at the Shankaracharya School in Jaleshpata, and killed  Swami Lakshmanananda Saraswati, Mata Bhaktamayi, Baba Amritananda, Kishore Baba, and Puranjan Ganti, the father of a student. Despite the passage of time, no meaningful efforts have been made to apprehend the masterminds behind this heinous crime. The saints demandes  justice and calling for accountability in this unsolved murder case.