Bhubaneswar, Sept 1: This year, the Jharpada Durga Puja in Bhubaneswar will be held at the Melana Ground instead of its usual venue at Jail Road Square. The Jharpada Durga Puja Committee has already begun the sacred ritual of 'Mati Anukula', where clay from the Kuakhai riverbank will be used to craft the traditional earthen idols of Goddess Durga.
For the past 14 years, the festival was celebrated at Jail Road Square, but internal conflicts among committee members have led to uncertainties surrounding the event. Last year, disagreements arose during the celebrations, culminating in a clash between two factions over the arrangement of a marriage ceremony at the committee’s Kalyan Mandap. This prompted the police to impose Section 163 at the puja pandal, a restriction that remains in place.
To address the ongoing issues, a new committee has been formed and will now oversee the celebrations at the Melana Ground. Durga Puja 2025 will take place from September 28 to October 2, with rituals and preparations commencing a week earlier on September 21, marking the beginning of Mahalaya. The five key days of worship, from Shashthi to Vijaya Dashami, will celebrate the goddess’s divine journey, blending mythology, art, and community spirit.
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