Gajalaxmi Puja Fervour Grips Odisha

Bhubaneswar/Dhenkanal: The famous Gajalaxmi Puja celebrations started
in Dhenkanal from Wednesday for 10 days. All the puja mandapas in the
town are looking attractive with spectacular arches and glittering
lights.

As many as 38 puja pandals have been constructed in the town this
year. Mangala Arati, Surya Puja, Go Puja and Arna Prasad Sevan will be
done in the pandals every morning.

Gudianali Puja Committee has made Chandi Medha this year by using one
quintal and 20 kg of silver. The committee has spent around Rs one
crore for the Medha and the palace.

Besides, Meena Bazar and Palishree Mela have been organised in many
puja pandals.

The 13-day long Laxmi Puja also began in Angul with much fanfare. Puja
is underway at 10 pandals in Palalhada of Angul district. Devotees
thronged the pandals of Bazar Sahi, Sasan Sahi, Bus Stand, Udaypur
Sahi, Udit Nagar, Purunagada Sahi and Samanta Sahi etc in the town.

People have been observing Laxmi Puja in Palalhada since the last 47
years. Opera, Meena Bazar and cultural programmes have also been
organised for the visitors.

Police personnel have been deployed for the smooth conduct of the puja.

The celebrations will culminate on November 5.

In the Odisha capital also, celebrations of Gajalaxmi Puja began with
religious fervour.

Bapuji Youth Association has organised the puja in Bapuji Nagar here.
Silver ornaments have been used in the idol of Ma Laxmi.

The association secretary said, “This is the 53rd year that we have
been celebrating Laxmi Puja here. This year, we have made Ashtalaxmi
Temple here. We are worshipping Ashtalaxmi here.”

He also said, “On October 30, we will arrange prasad for the general
public. Cultural functions will be held from October 27 to 30. The
unique one, Divyangs will perform dances and there will be a bhajan
singing competition on October 28.”