The five-day celebration of Durga Puja will begin on Friday and conclude on October 8 after immersion of the idols in the river Ib, Bheden and artificial water bodies of the district.
Members of various puja committees are working overtime to finish work on pandals in time while artisans are busy in giving final touch to the idol of Maa Durga.
With demand for Durga Puja increasing every year, committees are spending like never before. A walkdown in Jharsuguda, Brajrajnagar and Belpahar town area reveals some of the most promising pandals that could steal the show this year.
Om Shree Durga Puja Committiee of Sarbahal area of Jharsuguda, Shiva-Shakti Puja Committiee of Mangal Bazar,Hilltop Durgapuja Committiee of Brajrajnagar and Belpahar Railway Puja of Station road town area have used all eco-friendly materials in preparation of the pandals and idols on the completion of their 24th year. Craftsmen from the industrial district along with their counterparts in West Bengal and Jharkhand are giving shape to their creative ideas in the form of puja pandals.
The administration has requested puja committees to create awareness against harmful products of plastics and ensure that the pandals do not use any type of plastic near the puja venue. They will award the puja commities on the use of eco-friendly methods.
Om Shree Puja Committiee of Sarbahal area happens to be an exception, completing 43 years, drawing huge crowds with its overwhelming grand pandal, gorgeous idol and elaborate lighting for Durga Puja celebrations every year.
“This year, the puja pandal is shaped like the Maharaja Palace. This puja is famous for its tallest idol of Maa Durga, Durga Pandal and also tallest Ravan effigy in Jharsuguda district and here festivity has always been a point of attraction as devotees throng here in thousands.
This year we have fixed a budget of Rs 30 lakh. Our committee used to hold Ramlila and burning of Ravana effigy at Sarbahal ground," said main Karta Pintu Padhi of the committee.
Jharsuguda MLA and Health Minister Naba Kishore Das is chief advisor of the committee. This year they will celebrate the 44th year.
SP AK Mohanty informed that police have already taken adequate security measures for a smooth celebration of Durga Puja.