BANDANA SETHI, OP
Bhubaneswar: Elaborate preparations are underway at the Damana Gopinathjiu Durga Puja Committee to welcome Goddess Durga this year. The committee has estimated a budget of Rs 65 lakh for the celebrations. A 150-foot-wide and 80-foot-high entrance gate resembling the famous Char Dham temples of Uttarakhand — Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri and Yamunotri — will be the main attraction this year.
More than 25 artisans from Kolkata have been working on the structure for the past two months. A 14-foot clay idol of Goddess Durga and a 17-foot filigree backdrop will also be installed.
Skilled artisans from Old Bhubaneswar are working on the structures. The Goddess will be adorned with a silver crown and filigree jewellery, while the accompanying deities will also be decorated with filigree ornaments. The rituals will begin with Bilwabarana on Sasthi.
On Saptami, 108 women will collect water from the pond at Alekh Mahima Ashram in Damana village and carry it in a procession through the village before reaching the puja venue for the ceremonial bathing of the idol. Mahasaptami puja and Chakshudan will follow. On Astami, Surya Puja, Mahasaptami Puja, Sandhi Puja, Sandhi Bali and Homa will be performed, followed by Pushpanjali. Kumari Puja, Charu Homa and the lighting of 108 lamps will be held on Nabami.
On Dasami, Dahi Pakhala Bhoga, Aparajita Puja, Homa, Purnahuti and Ghata Bisarjan Puja will be conducted. Founded 14 years ago by Nishakar Sahu, the committee is entering its 15th year this year. Six LED-lit gates will be installed on the four roads connecting the puja venue, while Damana School and Balaram Complex will be decorated with colourful lights. The cultural programmes will include a bhajan evening on Sasthi, melody programmes on Saptami, Astami and Nabami, and a dance programme on Dasami. A Meena Bazar, along with rides including a giant wheel and a carousel, will also be set up at the puja ground.
Security arrangements will be strengthened, with the idol to be taken in a grand immersion procession accompanied by traditional musical instruments. “The Goddess will be worshipped according to prescribed rituals and traditions this year. We have given special emphasis to security this year. Around 200 volunteers and 20 security personnel will be deployed to control crowds inside and outside the puja pandal,” the committee said.
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