Bhubaneswar, Aug 13 - Hindu outfits Thursday observed quietly the first death anniversary of Laxmananda Saraswati, who was killed in August last year in Kandhamal district, under heavy security in view of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad's (VHP) decision to observe Aug 13 as a 'sacrifice day'.

The VHP had announced it would hold protest rallies in the district in memory of Swami Laxmananda Saraswati Thursday with the start of the Janmashtami festivities. However, the rallies were not held and the festival celebrations were also held on a low key.

The seer was killed Aug 23 last along with four associates when the Janmashtami festival was on in the Chakapada Ashram in Phulbani in Kandhamal district.

Earlier in Dec 2007, an attack on him had triggered off communal violence in Phulbani, in which houses belonging to both the Hindu and Christian communities and churches were burnt. The violence also claimed three lives.

Though the police were anticipating trouble during Janmashtami, especially Thursday, the day passed off peacefully in the district and no untoward incident was reported.

The state police had beefed up security in the district in view of the VHP's plans. Patrolling had been stepped up throughout the district and all the incoming vehicles were thoroughly checked at important points.