The district of Mayurbhanj has geared up for the Dussehra celebrations. People, in almost all parts of the district, particularly in the urban areas, are in a festive mood.
The zeal, enthusiasm and puja spirit of the people was clearly evident at the district headquarters town of Baripada on Tuesday when streams of men and women kept flowing to the town throughout the day. Different parts of the town like Bada Bazaar, KC Circle, Sahid Padia, Lal Bazar, Baghra Road, Tulsichowra, Palbani and Murgabadi, where puja festivities have already begun, remained crowded on the very first day of Durga Puja celebrations. Traffic congestion was clearly felt on the busy streets of the town during the peak hours of the day.
The scene was no different in other townships of the district. Rairangpur, Karanjia, Udala, Kaptipada, Betnoti, Bahalda, Bangriposi, Jharpokharia, Badsahi, Rasgobindpur, Baisinga, Kuliana and still smaller towns of Mayurbhanj are now observing the puja with much pomp and show.
Devotees are thronging puja pandals everywhere.
With the setting in of mild winter and the atmosphere becoming more and more favourable, the number of pandal hoppers is sure to rise in the next two to three days.