Bhubaneswar, Oct 9: Today marks the auspicious occasion of Maha Sashti, the sixth day of Durga Puja, with celebrations taking place across various mandaps in Odisha. Devotees are coming together to worship Maa Durga, as the earth buzzes with spiritual energy in anticipation of her arrival. While Saptami Puja is being held in the temples, the mandaps are filled with fervour for Maha Sashti Puja.
Massive arrangements have been made for the celebrations in Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, and other places, with idols of the goddess beautifully decorated in golden and silver backdrops.
The Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) has issued specific guidelines for managing the mandaps during the celebrations, ensuring proper organisation and safety. These include the use of only natural colours for the clay idols, advising the use of eco-friendly items such as leaves, earthen pots, and biodegradable containers instead of plastic for prasad offerings. Dustbins, safe electrical setups, and security guards are mandatory at the mandaps, and the use of plastic ornaments and sound systems without police approval has been restricted.
The Commissionerate Police has also implemented comprehensive security arrangements in the twin cities of Bhubaneswar and Cuttack to maintain peace and order during the festivities. In Bhubaneswar, 38 police platoons will be deployed, while 64 platoons will be stationed in Cuttack. CCTV cameras at the mandaps will be connected to the police control rooms to ensure safety, allowing residents to celebrate peacefully.
Major mandaps in Bhubaneswar, such as Nayapalli, Saheed Nagar, Jharpada, Rasulgarh, Baramunda, and Old Station Bazaar, are witnessing elaborate arrangements, with over a hundred mandaps in the city holding Durga Puja. Celebrations are equally grand in Berhampur, Rourkela, Balasore, and other parts of the state.
