Bhubaneswar's Ganesh Puja: A Growing Spectacle

Bhubaneswar's Ganesh Puja: A Growing Spectacle

The annual celebration of Ganesh Puja is on full swing in Bhubaneswar, with its grandeur and enthusiasm increasing every year. The elephant-headed god, who is believed to destroy obstacles and bring prosperity and fortune, is worshipped by devotees to gain blessings before beginning a new endeavor. Being celebrated across different puja mandaps in the state capital, each puja pandal exhibits a unique theme related to Lord Ganesha from religious tradition. The commissionerate police has asked the different puja committees to install CCTV cameras in and around the puja pandals and deploy volunteers to facilitate swift observance of the festival.

Winner Assocation is organizing Ganesh Mahotsav with the theme “Ganesh Puja Saparibare” or Puja of Lord Ganesha along with his family. Here the Ganesh Puja idol is 46 feet high. The devotees can come and perform puja for their family’s wellbeing. Artistes from Raipur are coming to grace the occasion for performing in Bhajan Sandhya in the evening. There would also be a program of Dhudki night using the ‘dhudki’ musical instrument. The idols are made up of eco-friendly materials and would be immersed following a procession on 17th September.

Bright Star Youth Association from Badagada is organizing its 43rd Ganesh Mahotsav with a 57 feet tall murti of Lord Ganesha having a 10 kg silver feet. A torana or light gate resembling the Titanic has also been created. A ladoo of 57 kg has been created for Lord Ganesha, which will be distributed among the devotees on the day of immersion. A feast would be organized on 9th September for devotees by the association for around 6000 people. The immersion procession will be completely free from noise and liquor as per the guidelines of the authorities. 

Tarang Club from Old Town is observing its Ganesh Mahotsav with a 41 feet tall Ganesh Murti. The arrangements have been made possible due to the tireless efforts of the local youth of Tarang Club. There would also be a 35 kg ladoo which would be distributed among the devotees. There are going to be 40 volunteers in the pandal to maintain order, with facilities for water and security. The club has welcomed the guidelines to ban DJ during the immersion procession and is hopeful that this festival would be observed peacefully. 

The Ekamra Raja Charitable Trust is organizing Ekamra Raja Mahotsav with its 25 feet statue of Lord Ganesha along with a light gateway of Sri Ramachandra of 54 feet. There would also be cultural programs for 5 days featuring well-known singers such as Kumar Bapi, Archana Padhee, Antara Chakraborty, Aseema Panda, Swayam Padhee, along with Western Odisha singer Mantu Chhuria, and Cine Artists Shivani, Sangeeta and Prakruti Mishra. There would also be Prasad sevan arrangements for 15,000 people and distribution of 2000 saplings. For the entertainment of children there are arrangements of Ramdoli, and Meena Bazaar.

Sahid Club’s Ganesh Mahotsav has been going on since 73 years. The Puja will continue for 5 days with melodies, bhajans and cultural programs. The effort has been to project Odisha’s art and culture through the Ganesh Puja. There are restrictions on the usage of polythene, provision for traditional instruments during immersion procession and Prasad distribution for devotees. As many as 100 volunteers are engaged in ensuring smooth observance among which there are 25 women volunteers.

With eco-friendly and gigantic Ganesh murtis, ban on DJ and alcohol during immersion processions, and CCTV cameras – this year’s Ganesh Puja in the state capital is set to be different from the previous years. My City Links wishes all its readers a happy Ganesh Puja.