Durga Puja In Silver City Cuttack

Durga Puja In Silver City Cuttack

Cuttack is a city of heritage and old-world charm. Durga Puja is a multi-day festival celebrated with a lot of pomp and show in the Millenium City. Each day of the festival is considered auspicious and is celebrated through unique customs and rituals. The pandals are decorated beautifully with decorative lights and other elaborate beautifications. The whole city is decked up with lights and hundreds of idols of Goddess Durga. Chandi Temple is the most famous temple in Cuttack where Maa Chandi is worshiped. The medha constructed here is known as the ‘Chaandi Medha’ which is made up of silver filigree and is considered the most beautiful medha in the city. 

Apart from the Chaandi Medha there are many other places that create some amazing decor with pandals. My City Links takes a look at some of the most famous medhas of Cuttack.

Balu Bazaar (Binod ViharI)

This is the oldest place in the city of Cuttack, almost 500 years old, which started the tradition of pandals and Idols public worship. The deity is decorated with flowers and Silver Jewellery and it is famously known as ‘Chaandi Medha’. The Silver filigree backdrop is made with motifs of sankha (conch shells) and is quite massive. The deity is painted with organic colours. 

Choudhury Bazaar

The Choudhury Bazaar puja committee is known for creating ‘Suna Medha’ or deities decorated with gold. The Goddess wears a golden crown and the backdrop is made with silver filigree work but some parts of it also include gold. It is believed that they started the trend of combining both gold and silver in the tableau. 

Chandini Chowk

The deities at Chandini Chowk are decked up with silver jewelry and the most striking feature of this pandal is that the backdrop has a very unique design than that of the entire city. Only traditional filigree style is used to create the backdrop here.

Chauliaganj

Chauliaganj is best known for the beautiful crown placed on Goddess Durga’s head. The crown comprises a golden peacock studded with emeralds and rubies in its quill. It is a remarkable mix of fine silver filigree work and the precious stones. Themes of the well-known Wheel of Life in Konark Sun Temple can be found in the backdrop. Apart from these, there is a beautiful light show too. 

Haripur – Dolamundai

The Haripur-Dolamundai also has a Chaandi Medha. The specialty of this place is that it has a massive backdrop and the pandal also sees the participation of dhakis (traditional drummers) during the festival.

Mangalabagh

The pandals of Mangalabagh do not have a silver backdrop. Instead they have a golden one which is the ‘zari’ craftsmanship of the Muslim community of Cuttack. While the jewelry for the deities are in silver.

Sheikh Bazaar 

The Sheikh Bazar puja committee makes Chandi Medha and decorates the deities with silver ornaments and the crown of the goddess is made in gold. They also decorate the pandal and the path nearby with beautiful glowing lights. 

Ranihaat 

The Ranihaat puja committee makes one of the most beautiful idols of Goddess Durga in the city. Each year they come up with something different. The deities are decorated with silver ornaments and the backdrop is finely carved with silver filigree work. To add to their fame, they also set up huge light gates which give a marvelous view.