The Ganesha Puja celebrations are underway at several puja pandals across Jharsugudda district. The festival, which is being observed amid religious fervour and splendor, will be observed for 11 days.
Puja pandals at Jharsuguda, Brajrajnagar, Belpahar, Bandhbahal and Banharpali attract many visitors every day. With pollution levels and water scarcity posing a threat to humanity, the predominant theme of this Puja season has been based on environmental conservation and going green.
The Brajrajnagar Friends Club has installed a high-cost 15-feet eco-friendly idol. Similarly, the Brajrajnagar Yuwa Sangam Club Committee has erected a 12.5- feet-high idol.
Though the industrial town witnessed heavy rains in recent days, it couldn’t dampen the spirit and enthusiasm of devotees.
People are offering prayers in the morning to God Ganesha, the symbol of wisdom and remover of obstacles. Heavy turnout is witnessed at Jhanda Chowk, Marwari Para, Thana Chowk and Lamtibahal pandals every evening.
Some puja organisers opined that this year’s Puja celebrations are lackluster due to an economic slowdown being witnessed by the industries and companies of the Jharsuguda district.
Adequate policemen have been deployed at different pandals to control the crowd and ensure smooth traffic movement.