Bhubaneswar: Frenetic activity is on to welcome Goddess Durga with pandals being decorated for the big day.
Expecting a huge footfall, puja committees are taking their best foot forward in being innovative.
Like every year, the Rasulgarh Durga Puja pandal in Bhubaneswar will attract the city people with a unique concept.
Pandal
A flower gate and pandal will welcome the people in Rasulgarh area here. It will have an impressive height of 80 feet and will be 155 feet in width. The entire pandal will be decorated with flowers, informed Rasulgarh Durga Puja Parichalana Committee secretary, Japan Routray.
Going by the selfie craze, the Rasulgarh Puja Pandal will be like a selfie zone this year, he added.
“We have brought flowers and different colours of lights from Kolkata. These are not natural flowers. As plastic is banned, we are using flowers made of paper and cloth,” he added.
As many as 75 Kolkata-based artisans have come to the city to make the pandal. They have been working since the last 45 days, informed Japan. Due to heavy rain, the pandal work was stopped for some days.
Idol
The idol of Goddess Durga has been made by artisans from Cuttack. The height of Goddess Durga’s idol is 25 feet including the Medha. “This is the committee’s 27th year of organising Durga Puja in Rasulgarh. A specially-designed pata saree has been made for Maa this year. Four artisans have come only to drape the saree around the idol,” said Japan.
Security
For security purposes, we have installed 25 CCTV cameras in the Puja ground and 10 volunteers are constantly monitoring all the activities. We also have 150 other volunteers, who are committee members, to help the visitors, said Japan.
For the senior citizens and differently-abled, two wheelchairs along with volunteers are available in the mandap, he added.
Police personnel will be deployed at the pandal for the smooth conduct of the Puja.
CCTV cameras will be installed in the parking place also. Volunteers will also be deployed there, said Japan.
Meena Bazaar
In Meena Bazar, special food stalls of different districts of Odisha will be set up. Besides, there will be joy rides and toy shops for children and sitting arrangement for the elderly.
Cultural programme
“We will have Odissi dance programme on Shasthi, said Japan. We will also organise Bhajan Samaroha. Melody groups from different places will perform on Saptami, Ashtami, Navami and Dasami. Noted singers of Odisha will perform on the occasion.
Ravan Podi
We have not been organising Ravan Podi for the past six years as a measure to control environmental pollution. Instead of organising Ravan Podi, we are conducting more entertainment programmes.
Bhashani Yatra
“We will have a pollution free Bhashani Yatra. Kalasa Yatra, Paika Akhada will be held in the procession. Instruments from Andhra Pradesh and Punjab will be used in Bhashani Yatra,” informed Japan.
“We will conduct the Bhashani Yatra individually, instead of joining with any other group. We will bring many traditional instruments like Jodi Sankha and Joda Ghanta. Folk dances like Ghumura and Gotipua will also be performed,” he added.
Prasad
“Khichdi prasad will be given to the visitors on Saptami. Charu Arna will be given on Ashtmi. Likewise, Kheer and Pitha (sweet cakes) will be given on Navami. We will give Dahi Pakhala as prasad on Dashami,” informed Japan.
Polythene Ban Awareness
“We will also create awareness about the ban on polythene during these days near the pandal. There will be no DJ throughout the Puja,” said Japan.
The committee members will also display messages requesting the visitors to plant at least one tree each.
“We have invested around Rs 35 lakh in all these arrangements,” he informed.
