Bhubaneswar/Cuttack, Sept 24: Preparations for Durga Puja 2026 have begun in several parts of Odisha with traditional clay collection rituals being observed for the making of idols.

The Jharpada Durga Puja Committee organised its clay collection ceremony on Wednesday. Committee members, office-bearers and local residents took out a procession from the Durga Puja mandap to the Kuakhai river. Following traditional rituals and prayers, clay was collected from the riverbank for making the idols of Goddess Durga.

Meanwhile, the Kalinga Durga Puja Committee at Dantulenga on the outskirts of Bhubaneswar also observed its annual clay collection ceremony at KISS campus on the occasion of Sunia. Committee members reached the river in a procession accompanied by traditional music and collected clay after performing rituals.

The ceremony was attended by committee president Tapan Chakraborty, secretary Suryakanta Harichandan, treasurer Umashankar Patashahani and other senior members.

In Shimilipatana village, five Durga Puja and Mahadev Puja committees jointly observed the Clay collection  ritual.

Members proceeded in a procession from the Bhuaasuni pond amid traditional music, conch shells and other ceremonial sounds.

Village elders and members of different neighbourhoods participated in the ritual.

This year, the Parameswar Durga Puja Committee will prepare the idol of Goddess Durga, while the other committees will worship idols of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati as part of the village's longstanding tradition.

The puja committees and the village committee will also jointly organise Ravana Dahan during Dussehra.

A 50-foot Ravana effigy and a fireworks programme have been planned, according to the organisers.