Bhubaneswar, Oct 17: Bhubaneswar’s Ashok Nagar Kalibari Samiti is celebrating Durga Puja with devotion and enthusiasm, carrying forward a long-standing tradition rooted in Bengali culture. Every year, the arrival of Dussehra brings a festive atmosphere, as families reunite and come together to worship Maa Durga.

The puja is a special occasion for people originally from West Bengal who have made Bhubaneswar their home. Regardless of where they live or work, many return during the festival to participate in the celebrations and seek the blessings of Maa Jagatjanani.

Traditional Bengali customs form the heart of the festivities. Women come together for Sindoor Khela, while Dhunuchi dance performances and the Anand Mela remain major attractions for devotees and visitors.

According to local residents, people from West Bengal began settling in Ashok Nagar in 1944 and started their businesses. In 1963, the late Satyaranjan De and Dr Chandramohan Bhowmik, along with others, initiated the Durga Puja celebrations.

Over the years, the puja has grown in popularity. Rituals are performed according to the Bengali almanac, with priests and idol makers arriving from West Bengal. The committee has its own mandap, where a 12-foot idol of Maa Durga is worshipped.

The rituals begin with Ghata Pratistha on Panchami, followed by the invocation of the Goddess on Shashthi. The main worship continues for four days, from Maha Saptami to Dashami. The puja follows traditions that differ from the customary Odia style, preserving the distinctive cultural heritage of the Bengali community in the state capital.