Bhubaneswar: Sahid Nagar Durga Puja Samiti, one of the capital city’s most prominent and popular Durga Puja organisers, is gearing up for a grand celebration of the festival from October 17 to 21. The puja having completed 49 years this year, the committee is leaving no stone unturned to make the celebration a visual and spiritual treat, with the divine idol of Goddess Durga, an elaborate silver backdrop, a resplendent gold crown and a magnificent entrance arch showcasing Odisha’s rich artistic and cultural heritage.
The centrepiece of this year’s celebrations is a grand entrance arch, or torana, built around the theme ‘Our Heritage, Our Pride’, informed the committee office bearers at a press conference at the committee’s office building on Tuesday.
The imposing structure celebrates Odisha’s rich artistic traditions, cultural heritage, traditional craftsmanship and glorious past.
Measuring approximately 80 feet in height and 120 feet in width, the monumental torana stands as a testament to the creativity, skill and craftsmanship of Odisha’s artisans. Renowned artists and skilled craftsmen from the state have been engaged in its construction, bringing their artistic vision, painstaking workmanship and years of experience to the project.
More than just an ornate gateway to the puja pandal, the torana represents the talent of Odisha’s artisans, the state’s cultural identity and its enduring sense of pride.
The Samiti has aptly described the structure as a ‘Make in Odisha’ torana, as it has been designed and crafted by local artists using Odisha’s own artistic traditions and cultural heritage as its inspiration.
Through this initiative, the organisers aim not only to provide a platform for local artists and craftsmen but also to pass on the state’s rich cultural legacy to the younger generation.
The initiative underscores the importance of celebrating homegrown talent and keeping Odisha’s traditional art forms alive.
With its striking silver and gold embellishments, towering torana, devotional programmes and extensive visitor-friendly arrangements, the Sahid Nagar Durga Puja promises to be a memorable celebration of faith, artistry and Odia pride.
The five-day celebration will feature devotional music programmes, including bhajan performances, along with a range of entertainment attractions such as the traditional Dussehra Ram Doli and other amusement rides.
To ensure a smooth and comfortable experience for devotees, the organisers have made elaborate arrangements for darshan. Separate queues will be provided for men and women, while wheelchairs will be available for senior citizens and persons with disabilities. A large LED screen outside the pandal will broadcast the rituals live, allowing devotees to catch a glimpse of the proceedings even during peak hours.
Crowd management and security will be given top priority. More than 100 male and female volunteers will be deployed to assist devotees and regulate the crowds, while over 50 private security personnel, including armed guards, will be on duty. Armed personnel will maintain round-the-clock vigil near the deity. CCTV cameras will cover the entire pandal and its surrounding areas to strengthen surveillance.
In a first for the venue, the entire pandal will be fully air-conditioned, adding to the comfort of visitors during the festivities.
One of the biggest attractions of the Sahid Nagar Durga Puja pandal is the magnificent silver backdrop, locally known as the chandi medha, which weighs approximately 250 kg.
The Goddess’s gold crown weighs around 2 kg, adding to the splendour of the deity.
This year, an additional 4 kg of silver has been used to enhance the beauty of the backdrop and the ornaments adorning the Goddess.
Work is also underway on gold ornaments and crowns for the accompanying deities. These exquisite embellishments reflect the organisers’ commitment to preserving the pandal’s religious traditions while elevating its visual grandeur and spiritual appeal.
When asked about the budget, committee president Biswa Prasad Mohanty said, “When the puja was started 49 years ago, it was just Rs 7000. Now it is something around Rs 50 lakhs.”
Committee secretary Harish Prasad Rath, working presidents Sachhidananda Nayak and Saroj Kumar Patra, vice president Rajkishore Das (corporator), advisor Suresh Kumar Das, Manoranjan Das, Hementa Kumar Parida, Dillip Kumar Das, Sudhir Kumar Satapathy and Chandan Palit among others were present at the press conference.
With its striking silver and gold embellishments, towering torana, devotional programmes and extensive visitor-friendly arrangements, the Sahid Nagar Durga Puja promises to be a memorable celebration of faith, artistry and Odia pride.
