I kept Biju Patnaik's cremains at home, it manifested spiritual influences: Bijoy Mohapatra

Senior leader Bijoy Mohapatra revealed the profound spiritual experiences he encountered during the days when he had kept Biju Patnaik’s ashes at his then government residence before ceremonial immersion.

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In an exclusive interview to OTV on Monday, Mohapatra disclosed that the ashes were honoured in his home for three to four years, during which he and his family perceived spiritual influences if the requisite rituals were not performed. 

The ashes were eventually taken to Prayagraj, a city esteemed for its religious significance, where they were immersed in accordance with traditional practices.

Mortal remains of Biju Patnaik: Little known facts

“His (Biju Patnaik’s) cremains (Asthis) were with me at my residence for nearly three to four years. The cremains were being regularly worshipped as those should not be kept as such. Naveen Babu had once come to see the remains,” Bijoy Mohapatra said.

“Our party (BJD) had already formed by the time when he (Naveen Patnaik) came. Everyone knows that the skeletal remains were with me,” Mohapatra expressed.

“The skeletal remains had manifested spiritual influences one day. The doors had created slamming sounds and wind blew in the house for no reason. My mother was alive and she used to worship (give lamp offering) the remains every evening. If ever we missed do so, the remains would manifest spiritual influences,” Bijoy Mohapatra further said.

“After consulting to some Pandits, I had decided to immerse,” Mohapatra added.

In a related context, veteran politician Amar Prasad Satpathy reflected on Biju Babu’s final days spent at the home of Dilip Ray. Satpathy noted that during this period, Biju Babu was admitted to a hospital, marking his final journey.

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“What I know, former Union Minister Dilip Ray had taken the responsibility of all his (Biju Patnaik’s) medical treatments. Even to the extent that he was then taken to the hospital from Ray’s government residence. He had spent his last days at Ray’s residence. He (Naveen Patnaik) can only tell under what circumstances he (Biju Babu) stayed in Ray’s residence,” senior BJD leader Amar Satpathy stated.