States » EastPosted at: Sep 17 2026 9:48PM


Over one crore lamps lit across Odisha to mark PM Modi’s 76th birthday

Bhubaneswar, Sep 17 (UNI) More than one crore lamps were lit across all 30 districts of Odisha on Thursday as part of the state-wide ‘Ashirbadara Deepa’ (Lamps of Blessings) programme organised to mark Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 76th birthday.
The programme, held under the ‘Seva Sankalpa Abhiyan-2026’, witnessed the participation of families, Self-Help Group members and beneficiaries of the Subhadra scheme, who lit lamps at their homes and joined collective celebrations at various locations.
The main event was organised at the historic Mukteshwar Temple premises in Bhubaneswar, where thousands of women and young people gathered to offer prayers for the Prime Minister’s long life and good health.
As dusk descended, the ancient temple complex came alive with the glow of more than 11,000 lamps. The sound of bells and conch shells during the evening aarti, along with devotional renditions by renowned Odia singers, added to the spiritual atmosphere.
The temple premises were illuminated with a golden radiance as participants lit one lamp after another, creating a spectacular sight.
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi attended the programme and participated in the lamp-lighting ceremony. Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida, Revenue Minister Suresh Pujari, Ekamra MLA Babu Singh and Brahmagiri MLA Upasana Mohapatra were also present.
Majhi interacted with the enthusiastic youth gathered at the venue and appreciated their participation, dedication and devotion.
Speaking to the media, the Chief Minister said the flame of the sacred lamp symbolised the blessings of the four-and-a-half crore people of Odisha for Prime Minister Modi.
“India will certainly become Vishwaguru, and we will continue our efforts to fulfil Modi Ji’s dream,” he said.
The programme was organised from the family level to the gram panchayat, block and district levels. Collective lamp-lighting ceremonies were held across gram panchayats, blocks and districts, while temples and other religious institutions were decorated with lamps and traditional jhoti chita designs.
Odisha Assembly Speaker Surama Padhy visited Srimandir in Puri and lit the ‘Lamp of Blessings’, seeking the blessings of Lord Jagannath for Prime Minister Modi on his birthday.
Padhy said the country had witnessed a revolutionary transformation under Modi’s leadership and was moving ahead on the path of progress.
She said Modi had strengthened India’s economic power through dedicated public service and established a distinct identity for the country across the world.
Similarly, Odisha Housing and Urban Development minister Krushna Chandra Mahapatra, State General Secretary Manas Kumar Mohanty and Rajya Sabha MP Sujit Kumar, along with a large number of party workers, lit the ‘Lamp of Blessings’ at the Sri Ram Temple in Bhubaneswar.
They prayed for Prime Minister Modi’s long, healthy and disease-free life.
Lamps were also lit at temples, prominent religious institutions and other important locations across Odisha as part of the statewide celebrations.
UNI DP
Tags: #Over one crore lamps lit across Odisha to mark PM Modi’s 76th birthday
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