By Arindam Ganguly, OP
Bhubaneswar: On Mahasaptami, the seventh day of Durga Puja, Bhubaneswar came alive with sacred chants, elaborate rituals, and vibrant displays of art and devotion. Devotees thronged major pandals from the early hours, marking the spiritual high of the festival, even as traffic congestion and crowd management posed challenges for the City.
Mahasaptami, a key day in the Durga Puja calendar, marks the formal invocation of Goddess Durga. At sunrise, priests across Bhubaneswar’s pandals conducted traditional Saptami rituals, including Nabapatrika Snan (bathing of nine plants), Shodashopachara Puja (sixteen-fold worship), and Saptami Homa, with devotees offering flowers, incense, fruits, and sweets.
Many pandals also held Kumari Puja, venerating young girls as embodiments of the Goddess, while preparations for Ashtami and Navami continued with special prayers and bhog offerings. The air echoed with Sanskrit chants, temple bells, and devotional music, creating a vibrant mix of spiritual serenity and festive energy.
Over 172 pandals have been set up across Bhubaneswar this year, each featuring unique themes and cultural artistry. Among the most visited on Mahasaptami were those in Rasulgarh, Saheed Nagar, Nayapalli, Jharpada, and Baramunda, turning these localities into cultural hotspots that blend traditional craftsmanship with contemporary themes.
Rasulgarh’s pandal, “Nature with Maa on Hills,” showcases Durga amid serene landscapes, emphasising her bond with nature. Saheed Nagar’s eco-friendly “War and Peace” theme blends Mahabharata and modern conflicts, promoting global harmony with “Vasudev Kutumbakam.” Nayapalli celebrates Kerala’s heritage with a Kathakali-inspired pandal, while Baramunda highlights social messages through contemporary designs.
Several committees followed eco-friendly guidelines issued by the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC), with bans on single-use plastics and provisions for waste segregation.
As evening fell, Bhubaneswar saw huge crowds near major pandals, causing severe traffic congestion and parking challenges. Popular spots like Rasulgarh, Bomikhal, and Saheed Nagar faced parking shortages, forcing devotees to use distant roads or private spaces. Key arteries, including Cuttack–Puri Road, Kalpana Square, and areas near Vani Vihar and Bomikhal, were nearly at a standstill after 6 pm.
Adding to the City’s festive spirit, the Tangibanta Durga Puja Committee in Mancheswar unveiled a 62-ft-tall idol of Goddess Durga, the tallest in the state this year. The monumental statue has attracted large crowds, refocusing attention on the goddess amid the festival’s pandal extravagance.
Birendra Jena, committee president, noted the significance, contrasting it with Cuttack’s traditional Chandi Medhas.
As Bhubaneswar gears up for the grand celebrations of Mahashtami and Mahanavami, city officials continue to grapple with crowd management while striving to preserve the vibrant festive spirit of this beloved festival.
PNN