Bhubaneswar: As the State sets the tune with festivities, the glittering Puja pandals with majestic sculptures of Goddess Durga across the city offer devotion and entertainment for devotees and pandal hoppers of all ages, making them a perfect platform for merry-making during the ongoing Durga Utsav.
Damana Gopinathjew Durga Puja Committee, celebrating its 13th anniversary, has presented a new sight for devotees to behold during the four-day religious extravaganza. This time, Maa Durga will be worshiped at the Puja Mandap decorated with a magnificent pandal resembling Dubai’s Miracle Garden.
The committee revealed that the pandal, made of fibre, grass mats, and flowers, has become the cynosure of all eyes in Bhubaneswar. Around 22 skilled artisans from West Bengal took over 30 days to build the gigantic look-alike marquee of the Miracle Garden. The 70-foot-high beautiful structure has become a centre of attraction.
In view of rising pollution during the festive season, the committee has not used any chemical dyes in Goddess’ idol. The puja committee has also banned the use of polythene near the Mandap. The E-Ravanpodi event is another move to arrest air pollution.
A 50-foot-high effigy of Demon King Ravana will be burnt on Vijaya Dasami without high-decibel firecrackers to prevent air pollution during the festive season.
As the Puja entered Maha Saptami day on Thursday, Bhubaneswar reverberated with mantras and rituals of Dussehra. Mandaps in Bhubaneswar echoed with ‘Homa’, ‘Chandi Patha’, accompanied by the tune of drums, cymbals, and conch.
Here’s the text with grammatical corrections:
On Mahastami day, curd rice (Dahi Pakhala) and spinach fry will be distributed to devotees after being offered to the Goddess. Khechudi and Dalma will be served on the ninth day, and prasad will be distributed to devotees on Vijaya Dasami.
Additional attractions for visitors include Meenabazar and slings of various kinds.
Special arrangements have been made for women, the disabled, and senior citizens. As many as 2000 volunteers and 10 CCTV cameras will guard the entire pandal. Four fire extinguishers have also been put in place.
Gopinathjew Club, Laxmi Narayan Club, Krishna Club, and Damna Bautei Women’s Samiti have been cooperating in conducting the Puja every year.
