Water from Bonda Ghati of Odisha’s Malkangiri dist to be used in worship of Lord Sri Ram in Ayodhya: Watch
The Bonda Ghati in Khairput Block of Malkangiri may soon be added to the list of popular tourist places in Odisha. The Sita Kund in Bonda ghati, where Goddess Seeta, consort of Lord Sri Ram had taken bath as per mythology, was in news recently as holy water from this place was collected and taken to Ayodhya. The holy water would be used in the worship of Lord Ram Lala in the famous temple in Ayodhya.
Importantly, Odisha Governor Prof. Ganeshi Lal visited Sita Kund in Bonda Ghati recently for the holy water collection ceremony. To collect the holy water, saints set out from Srilanka and reached here and collected water. The Governor joined this auspicious event while festive fervour gripped the Bonda ghati due to Governor’s visit. Also, the security arrangement had been tightened.
Sita Kund is linked to the time of Ramayana. That is the reason water from the Snana Kunda of Mata Janaki in this Bonda ghati has been taken to Ayodhya to be used in the Abhishek of Ram Lala.
As per legends during his 14 years hermitage, Lord Sri Ram had stayed for a brief time in Malyabanta, which is known as Malkangiri in present time. Malyabanta has been depicted in Ramayana. Many legends are found related to Mata Seeta in the present day Bonda ghati. The tank where the Goddess had taken bath is still found here, which is known in the name Seeta Kunda.
It is said, during their stay once Goddess Seeta was taking bath here when a few tribal women laughed at her witnessing her un-knotted hair. Being angry with this, the Goddess cursed them. It is said that as per that curse, even today Bonda women tonsure their hair and live as bald.
There is a Bali hill in the Bonda ghati. It is said once you step there you can hear rhythms getting played. It is said Bali had fought in this hill. There are many such legends attached to this place.
Bonda Ghati is situated at a height of 7000 feet. Hence, here even during summer the place is cold.
The tribal Bondas are simple in nature. The families are women centric. Males marry girls who are elder then them. They are nature lovers. Hence, they observe festivals in regular intervals to offer new fruits and cereals yielded in different season to the God.
For Lord Sri Ram’s birthplace temple, saints set out journey on the Shivaratri day from Srilanka and reached here. During the Governor’s visit, after landing of the helicopter at Mudulipada, tribal Bonda girls ceremonially took him to the Seeta Kund amid tribal dance. Following the holy water collection event at Seeta Kunda, a poetry recitation event took place. During the poetry recitation, Prof. Geneshi Lal spoke about this Kunda as has been depicted in Ramayana.
The locals have demanded that this place should be recognized as a tourist destination. The Governor has initially sanctioned Rs. 5 lakh for the development. Besides, he also gave Rs. 1 lakh after being pleased with the dance of the Bonda girls.
The holy water collected from Sita Kund was taken to Ayodhya by the saints from Ayodhya. On coming Ram Navami, this will be used during the Abhishek of Lord Ram lala.
Out of the places, where Lord Sri Ram had spent time, Sita Kund in Bonda ghati is the only place from where the holy water has been collected for the Ayodhya temple.
Security had been beefed up for the Governor’s programme. Besides, Malkangiri SP Nitesh Badhwani and collector Vishal Singh were present on the spot during the holy water collection ceremony and Governor’s visit.
Ms Kalinga
I was proud to be the Odisha state Incharge of this event.
Mayank Agrawal
Jeypore, Odisha