Though the puja revelers are upset with the alert announcement of weather department regarding cyclone Phailin hitting Jharkhand on Sunday morning, it has not dampened their festive mood. People with their colourful attires explored the city pandals right from Friday morning.
On Ashtami morning the roads leading to city’s popular pandal were chocked. The crowd comprised both local and residents outside the town. Each pandal was tightly packed with people. The police officials deployed in pandals were busy in evacuating the crowd from the pandal. The food stall owners were busy in completing the orders.
Rahul Singh who was out with his family said, “With forecast of rain in the next two days we cannot take chance to step out at night so planned to visit the pandals on morning.” According to Indian Meteorology Department bulletin Jharkhand and its adjoining areas are plausible to receive squally winds with the speed of 60-65 kilo meter per hour and 80-100mm rainfall on October 13. In a bid to ensure minimum loss to maximum extend State weather officials appealed the mass to stay in their home.
Another reveler Shakuntala Devi who came from Tatisilwai along with her children said, “My children made elaborate plans for this festive but prediction of met department lowered their enthusiasm. In a bid to make my little ones happy I changed my plan and came out in morning to see the pandals.” The visitors were mesmerized with the magnificent artwork and beautiful idols of different pandals. Children had a great time participating in fun-fairs being held at fair venue.
Chandra Sekhar Azad Puja Samiti Main Road Secretary Ramanand Thakur said, “For the first time our pandal witnessed such huge crowd in the morning. We made huge preparation to make the festival a memorable one but met department prediction ruined our efforts.” According to Kishan Poddar Secretary of Satya Amar lok Puja Samiti despite met department prediction it is found that puja fever among the residents are at peak. Each one is visiting the pandal but this time majority of people preferred to visit the pandal on Shashti and saptami.