Bhubaneswar Durga Puja 2024: District Center Owners Association Durga Puja reflects communal harmony

Bhubaneswar, Sept 27: Setting an example of unity and brotherhood, the District Center Owners Association is set to organise the Durga Puja this year too. This cherished tradition began in 2008 and was initiated by a local Muslim member, S.K. Shahjahan, highlighting the spirit of communal harmony.

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The festivities will kick off with a striking 40-foot grand entrance, symbolizing the unity among different religions. Shahjahan, a member of the puja committee, continues to play a pivotal role in the event, providing accommodations for the priests who perform the rituals and assisting in various organizational tasks.

In an environmentally conscious move, the organizers have pledged to avoid the use of plastic and polythene in the decorations. Led by master craftsman Prafulla Kumar Behera from Kendrapada, artisans are currently crafting a magnificent 15-foot idol of the goddess.

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The rituals are set to begin on the sixth day of the festival, with daily offerings of charu presented to the goddess. On Navami, they will honor 21 young girls, celebrating them as embodiments of goddess power and women’s empowerment. Additionally, on the eighth day, a traditional dish of dahi pakhal (curd rice) will be served.

The Durga Puja festivities will span 15 days. After the immersion of the Durga idol, the same pandal will be repurposed for the Gajalaxmi Puja, continuing the spirit of celebration and community bonding.