Bhubaneswar: A diverse array of themes, inspired by ‘Operation Sindoor’, tantric worship among others, are set to captivate pandal hoppers in Bhubaneswar during this year’s Durga Puja, starting September 28.
Community celebration of Durga Puja in the state capital has been going on for at least a century, having begun in the city’s Old Town and Sundarpada neighborhoods. And it has grown in size and significance over the years, drawing visitors from across Odisha and beyond.
Odisha Bytes takes its readers through the vibrants pandals put up for the grand extravaganza:
Old Station Bazaar
Old Station Bazaar Sarbajanina Durga Puja Samiti is set to captivate devotees and visitors this festive season with a pandal that transcends mere worship, offering a deep dive into Goddess Durga’s multifaceted power and grace.
The theme of the outer pandal is ‘Tantropasana’, highlighting the significance of tantric worship while celebrating the goddess’s various forms and symbols, portraying her as the universal mother, a divine embodiment, and the source of infinite Shakti.
Visitors can have a glimpse of Navadurga, the nine manifestations or forms of Goddess Durga, walking through the passage leading to the inner sanctum.
The pandal blends intricate artistry and subtle symbolism to create a spiritual experience with the timeless idea of motherhood—Durga as the nurturing yet fierce protector, marking its 70th community puja this year.
The focal point is Shakti—the eternal energy flowing through the universe.
The pandal also features innovative concepts, such as a flyer’s experience during takeoff from Biju Patnaik International Airport (BPIA with digital screens displaying an aerial view of the areas around it.
To enhance safety, the committee has introduced AI-enabled CCTV cameras to prevent theft and pickpocketing, alongside deploying over 50 volunteers for crowd management. Additionally, the committee’s prasad and signature ladoo bhog, delivered to members’ and devotees’ homes, remain a cherished highlight.
Saheed Nagar
Inspired by the patriotic fervour following Operation Sindoor, Saheed Nagar Durga Puja Samiti has come up with ‘Dharma Yudha to Modern Missions’ theme, celebrating India’s courage and its role as a global peace advocate.
One side of the 85-foot-tall and 130-foot-wide pandal illustrates India’s ancient warfare techniques and the other its modern defence capabilities with a grand statue of Lord Vishnu at the centre symbolising a blend of valour and values of peace, righteousness, and harmony.
About 50 artisans from Kolkata had been working since Janmashtami to realise this vision, marking its 48th year.
This apart, Goddess Durga will wear a 1.5 kg gold crown, as in previous years.
The puja will feature robust crowd control and security measures. Rituals will be broadcast live on a large LED screen outside the pandal. Over 100 volunteers and 30+ private security personnel, including armed guards, will ensure safety, with CCTV surveillance covering the premises.
Nayapalli
This year, visitors to the Nayapalli Durga Puja mandap will experience the ambiance of a South Indian temple. The puja committee, organising the puja for 38 years, has designed the pandal around the theme of Kathakali, a traditional Kerala dance form, depicted in a devotional setting.
Approximately 45 Bengali and Odia artists have collaborated to showcase Kerala’s cultural heritage through Kathakali-inspired artwork on the pandal’s walls and entrance.
The pandal features mask-like structures resembling Kathakali performers, along with deities crafted from fabric and paper in vibrant colours, enhancing its aesthetic appeal.
The committee offers dahi pakhal on Saptami and Navami, khichdi dalma on Ashtami, and bhog on Sasthi and Dashami.
To ensure a smooth and secure experience for the massive footfall expected during the festivities, the organisers have put in place extensive safety and crowd-management measures. Nearly 300 security personnel and volunteers, including 100 women, will be stationed across the pandal premises to guide visitors and handle emergencies. The entire area will be under constant surveillance with 50 CCTV cameras monitoring movements round the clock.
Mancheswar
Goddess Durga is the attraction of the pandal being put up by Tangibanta Durga Puja Committee in Mancheswar.
The 62-feet tall idol of Maa Durga in Dashabhuja form is the biggest in the state this Puja, giving the message of triumph of righteousness over evil.
The massive idol is crafted by 15 skilled artisans from Cuttack using eco-friendly materials, including 800 large bamboo units, tonnes of soil, plaster of Paris and over 3,000 straw bundles. The Goddess will be adorned with a 180-metre-long saree, made from multiple sarees, costing around Rs 95,000.
A 75-foot-high pandal will enhance the festive atmosphere in Tangibanta village, on the city’s outskirts.
The committee plans to deploy 100 volunteers for crowd management, with CCTV surveillance to assist police and local authorities. The idol immersion ceremony is scheduled for October 5 at the pandal, using water sprayers, according to committee members.
Bomikhal
Bomikhal Durga Puja Samiti is ready to reveal its stunning ‘Mayur Palace’ pandal, a 75-feet-tall and 110-feet-wide structure that celebrates India’s culture and traditions while promoting sustainability and wildlife conservation.
Adorned with three peacock-themed decorations and a central installation of India’s national bird, the pandal draws inspiration from Chinese palace architecture.
Over 40 artisans from Kolkata have given shape to the structure using eco-friendly materials. The interior of the pandal resembles a palace, inspired by the Mahabharata. Four to five truckloads of bamboo have been used for decoration.
The idol of Goddess Durga and other deities will be adorned with silver jewellery.
Additionally, the committee plans to distribute free prasad to over 3,000 people on Ashtami and will deploy 60 volunteers and 40 security guards for crowd management.
Rasulgarh
The Rasulgarh Durga Puja Parichalana Committee, which has been celebrating Durga Puja for the last 33 years, has chosen environment conservation as this year’s theme.
A 70-feet tall pandal at Rasulgarh has been designed to resemble a temple on a mountain in Uttarakhand. It is adorned with nearly 6,000 plants of different varieties from Kolkata, which will be returned to the seller for replantation after the festivities, and a cave-like interior with tribal sculptures emphasising nature’s harmony.
A strict no-plastic policy is in place, with prasad served on leaf plates and cups during Ashtami, Nabami, and Dashami. Colorful lights illuminate the pandal and surrounding roads, while a Meena Bazaar with rides, stalls, and a Dashami ‘dandiya night’ enhances the festive spirit.
Special accommodations for senior citizens and differently-abled visitors, along with fire safety measures, 40 CCTV cameras, and 100 volunteers, have been put in place to ensure a safe and smooth celebration.
Damana
After recreating Dubai’s Miracle Garden, Damana is celebrating this year’s Durga Puja with a pandal inspired by Iskcon temple West Bengal’s in Mayapur. Twenty artists from West Bengal have used cloth, paper, and wood to craft the stunning pandal with exquisite interior.
The idol has been sculpted by Arun Mohapatra’s team from Old Town.
The Puja is being organised here by Gopinathjew Durga Puja Committee since 2012. Visitors can expect a vibrant mix of spirituality, food, music, culture, art, and entertainment at the Damana puja ground. Traditional Odia dishes like dahi pakhala, saga bhaja, khichudi, dalma, rice, khata, and payas are offered as bhog to Maa Durga here.
A unique ‘Kalash Yatra’ ritual is also on Saptami, where women carry water from a nearby pond in a procession.
To manage crowds near the busy traffic junction, 200 volunteers and 12 security personnel will assist police, with separate darshan queues for men and women and special parking arrangements.
VSS Nagar
The VSS Nagar Puja Committee has captured attention with a striking and unique pandal design. This year, they have crafted a pandal inspired by the iconic Nandighosa chariot, a symbol from Maa Durga’s traditional stories.
About 40 Odia artists worked tirelessly to complete this impressive structure in just 28 days, showcasing intricate craftsmanship.
The pandal not only highlights artistic excellence but also celebrates the deep cultural heritage and devotion of the local community.