Visitors to the Magha Saptami Mela also joined the Monks, Caves and Kings heritage trail. People from diverse backgrounds, including a doctor who cycled in from Maharashtra, Ramchandra Chavan, joined the walk. Chavan, who covered 2,000km from Malvan in Maharashtra to Konark, said: “I have come across different types of people from different economic backgrounds, but the people of Odisha, even in remote areas, are happy, cordial and friendly with their guests,” he said. He described how his counselling during his trips had helped people change their views of society. Being a doctor, he has also tried to spread the message of Swachh Bharat among the residents of villages and small towns on his journeys, the doctor said. Text by Anwesha Ambaly;
Picture by Ashwinee Pati
