By Arindam Ganguly, OP
Bhubaneswar: The Capital is abuzz with festive spirit as Ganesh Puja 2025 begins Wednesday, marked by grandeur, creativity, and a rising focus on sustainability. Over 340 pandals have illuminated the City—some soaring over 60 feet—promising to draw lakhs of devotees and visitors in the coming days.
This year’s highlight is the focus on eco-friendly themes, supported by meticulous preparations from the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) and Commissionerate Police to ensure a safe and vibrant celebration. At the heart of the spectacle is the 61-ft Ganesh idol at Badagada, among the tallest in the state this year. Built with eco-friendly materials, it features silver feet and a silver Mooshika (mouse), blending tradition with modern craftsmanship. The colossal idol has already drawn large crowds ahead of the puja.
“Our artisans worked day and night for over a month to complete it,” said Sanjay Sahu, chief coordinator of the Badagada Puja Committee.
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Not far behind is Saheed Nagar, where two major pandals are drawing thousands of visitors. The Winner Association has crafted a 46-ft Ganesh idol seated on a grand elephant-drawn chariot, built entirely with non-toxic materials. The venue will also host cultural programmes, prasad distribution, and devotional performances every evening.
Also in Saheed Nagar, the Sahid Club is winning praise with its tribal-themed pandal, crafted from bamboo, palm leaves, and traditional tribal artistry. The design not only showcases Odisha’s indigenous heritage but also underscores the message of environmental consciousness.
Other standout installations include the Tarang Club in Old Town, which has set up a 50-ft idol along with cultural evenings, and the Akhandalamani Seva Sansad in Nuasahi, which has created the tallest idol in their locality with themes highlighting women’s safety and road safety awareness.
“With every major neighbourhood contributing its own artistic vision and social message, Ganesh Puja in Bhubaneswar this year is more than a religious celebration—it has become a community-wide cultural movement,” said Anjali Mishra, a City resident.
The BMC has issued strict guidelines for all puja committees, including a ban on single-use plastics, mandatory use of LED and safe lighting systems, construction of eco-friendly idols, and immersion only at designated artificial ponds at Kuakhai Bridge, Tankapani Road, Lingipur (Daya River), and other notified zones to curb water pollution.
Sanitation drives, emergency medical services, and mobile control rooms have been deployed across the City to manage the massive footfall expected in the coming days. The BMC has also launched an initiative to collect floral waste from pandals for recycling into incense sticks.
The Commissionerate Police has put in place robust security and crowd-control measures, including a ban on high-decibel DJ sets and unauthorised lighting, along with extra personnel at key junctions, immersion sites, and popular pandals. Real-time CCTV surveillance and quick-response teams have also been deployed.
“We’ve banned high-decibel DJs and unsafe lighting setups. CCTV surveillance and quick-response teams are in place to ensure a peaceful and joyful celebration for all,” police officials said.
PNN