Puja ambience descended in Cuttack city on Tuesday evening when pandals observed “Bela Barani” (invitation) of Goddess Durga and Mahasashthi Puja amid beating of drums and cymbals. People in large numbers thronged the Puja Mandaps in the evening to witness the installation of clay idols of the Goddess amid tight security.
This year, the city is witnessing Puja in over 157 pandals, 75 of which are worshipping idols of Ma Durga and the remaining pandals some other deities. A record-breaking 24 pandals are sporting silver tableaus in the city giving white lustrous backgrounds to the deities. The Darghabazar Puja Committee joined this elite group this year for the first time by erecting a silver tableau made of over two quintals of the white metal.
Similarly, at least seven mandaps of the city are competing among themselves to draw more revellers this time as the organisers here have used gold ornaments and gold crowns for Goddess Durga and other deities. Many mandaps have also erected massive welcome arches with different themes and decorated them with colourful lights.
The district administration, in consultation with different puja committees and peace committees, has decided to observe the four-day puja with Mahasaptami from Wednesday and Vijay Dasami will be observed on Saturday. Immersion of the deities will be held on Ekadasi on Sunday and continue till Monday.
like every year, the Commissionerate police have made elaborate arrangements to ensure that the puja and immersion festivals are observed peacefully. At least 70 platoons of police, including anti-sabotage, anti-liquor and rapid action force, would be deployed in the city during these days, informed a senior police officer.