Durga Puja Festivities To Conclude With Ravana Podi At 10 Places In Bhubaneswar Tonight; Check Guidelines

Bhubaneswar: Marking a grand finale to Dussehra festivities, Odisha capital Bhubaneswar is all set to witness the burning large-scale effigies of Ravana accompanied by fireworks on Sunday night.

Sources said the Commissionerate Police has allowed ten Durga Puja mandaps including those at Jharpada, Baramunda, Naharkanta, Koradakanta, Bankual, Gopalpur, KIIT Road, and Chandaka. ‘Ravan Dahan’ will also be held in Simulia Patna Dola Jatra field, Kapil Prasad Football Ground, marking an end to the Durga Puja festivities in the city.

While special arrangements have been made by local administrations for smooth darshan of the Goddess at various pandals, adequate firefighting arrangements have been made to prevent any mishap or untoward incident during Ravan Podi event, officials said.

The local administration has issued a set of guidelines for Ravan Podi in the capital city.

As per the guidelines, people will be allowed to watch the Ravan Podi programme from at least 100 metres distance. Similarly, the events will be held at least 250 metres away from schools, colleges, temples and human habitations.

Only authorised fireworks shall be used. No fireworks shall contain chlorate or a prohibitive explosive mixture. No electrical wire shall be allowed within 20 meters of the area where the fireworks are laid down.

No display of fireworks shall be carried out when the wind velocity exceeds 50 kilometres per hour. Once the fireworks have been taken to the site, the site must not be left unattended or unprotected

The organisers of Ravan Podi have been directed to keep fire extinguishers to avoid any untoward situation. The administration will also deploy firefighters.

Dussehra celebrates Lord Rama’s victory over the demon king Ravana. Symbolising the victory good over evil, each year giant effigies of Ravana are burnt in different parts of the country by people celebrating this festival.

In Bhubaneswar, glittering pandals and huge effigies of Ravan are ready for Ravan Podi to mark the occasion.

Giant effigies of Ravana, accompanied by his brother Kumbhakarna and son Meghnad are made and packed with fireworks. When they are burnt, it makes a spectacular sight as the sky is brightened by the fireworks.