Bhubaneswar, Oct 7: The Jharpada Durga Puja Committee, one of the prominent puja committees in the capital city, is gearing up for its 16th Durga Puja with an array of grand attractions, elaborate decorations and cultural programmes.

This year, the committee will recreate a Jagatjanani Temple-themed pandal at the Jharpada Mela Ground. The announcement was made during a press conference held at the venue on Sunday by Jharpada Durga Puja Committee chief adviser Jagannath Pradhan.

100-Foot-High Pandal

Spread across nearly 4.5 acres, the puja venue is being transformed with a massive pandal measuring around 100 feet in height and 130 feet in width.

The Goddess will be worshipped in an elaborate golden filigree backdrop, adding to the visual grandeur of the celebrations.

As many as seven LED-lit gates will be installed at the venue, while colourful decorative lights will illuminate the surrounding area during the festive days.

The puja rituals will begin with Belbarani and a grand Kalash Yatra on Sasthi, following which Maa Durga's arrival will be marked through Vedic rituals.

From Sasthi to Dashami, the Goddess will be offered Anna Prasad, Khichdi and Dahi Pakhala as part of the traditional offerings.

Asima Panda, Govinda and Jyotirmayee Nayak to perform

The Jharpada celebrations will also feature a star-studded line-up of cultural programmes.

Popular singer Asima Panda will perform on Sasthi, followed by singer Binod Rathore on Saptami.

On Navami, Indian Idol winner Jyotirmayee Nayak will take the stage, while Bollywood star Govinda is scheduled to entertain visitors on Dashami.

With a large number of devotees expected to visit the puja venue, extensive security and crowd-management arrangements have been planned.

Around 300 young volunteers and 100 women volunteers, along with personnel from the Commissionerate Police, will be deployed to manage traffic and crowds.

A special security agency has also been engaged for additional monitoring.

Around 40 CCTV cameras will be installed across the puja pandal and its surrounding areas. Dedicated parking spaces have also been identified.

A separate facility will be set up for the care and assistance of women and children.

An information centre and puja office will also operate at the venue to help visitors.

Special arrangements will be made to facilitate easier darshan for senior citizens.

For medical emergencies, a dedicated medical team and ambulance service will remain available during the celebrations.

To add to the festive experience, the committee has also planned a Minabazar and Ramdol for children and visitors.

The attractions are expected to add an entertainment element to the religious celebrations and draw more families to the puja venue.

The Durga idol immersion procession will be accompanied by traditional musical instruments.

The procession will pass through Jharpada and nearby areas before joining the grand Sahid Nagar immersion celebrations.

With its grand temple-themed pandal, star performances, elaborate lighting, strong security arrangements and special facilities for devotees, the 16th Jharpada Durga Puja is expected to be one of the major attractions of Durga Puja in Bhubaneswar this year.