Bhubaneswar: As Goddess Durga descended on earth, the Nayapalli Durga Puja Committee in Bhubaneswar has unveiled a uniquely themed pandal celebrating the dying terracotta art. This stunning blend of art, culture, and religious significance makes the Durga Puja Mandap a top attraction among revellers.
To revive the fading terracotta art, the committee crafted the majestic pandal with intricate terracotta work and dazzling fancy lights. The 140×80 feet eco-friendly structure features 2,000 terracotta sculptures and intricately designed bamboo materials.
Around 40 artisans from Odisha and West Bengal worked on the pandal and terracotta sculptures to erect the majestic structure measuring around 8o-feet-high and over 100-ft-wide. Bedecked with various ornaments, the 15-feet tall idol of Maa Durga will give darshan to devotees atop a 20-foot pedestal.
Women volunteers have been engaged to encourage their participation in organising the puja. They will work in managing crowds and facilitating smooth darshan.
The Puja Committee has arranged ‘Prasad Sevan’ (free distribution of prasad) for hundreds of devotees everyday from Mahasaptami to Vijaya Dashami.
This year’s main attraction is Ravanpodi – a 50-70 foot tall Ravan statue to be burned without noise-producing crackers on Vijaya Dashami.
Evening cultural programs are expected to draw huge crowds. For safety, 150 volunteers and over 100 CCTVs monitor the area
