Sambalpur: Thousands of devotees took part in Hanuman Jayanti celebrations on Tuesday, with a large procession organised by the Hanuman Samanwaya Samiti passing through the city’s key areas. Devotees from different localities took part in the procession, which began after rituals and aarti at the Hanuman temple at Brooks Hill.The main procession started from the district school and moved through various parts of the city, with participants carrying flags and chanting religious slogans. Organisers said the celebrations witnessed participation of people across different age groups and communities. Police made elaborate security arrangements to ensure peaceful conduct of the event. According to officials, more than 52 platoons of police personnel, besides CRPF, BSF and over 200 home guards, were deployed at sensitive locations. The city was placed under surveillance using drones and over 160 CCTV cameras. Sambalpur SP Mukesh Bhamoo said over one lakh devotees participated in the celebrations and no untoward incident was reported. A Maha Aarti was organised at district school square, which was attended by Union minister Dharmendra Pradhan and Sambalpur MLA and Hanuman Samanwaya Samiti president Jayanarayan Mishra. The rituals were conducted by more than 10 priests.
