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Cuttack, Oct 17: Behind the glittering silver tableaux, gold crowns, towering decorative arches and spectacular immersion processions of Cuttack's Durga Puja lies a massive economic story. The festival is not just a celebration of faith, tradition and brotherhood but also a major seasonal business event that generates employment and boosts local markets.
This year's Cuttack Durga Puja market is estimated to generate business worth more than ₹300 crore, driven by spending on puja arrangements, decorations, jewellery, clothing, food and various services.
More than 170 puja mandaps across the city contribute to the scale of the celebrations, creating business opportunities for artisans, traders, workers and service providers.
Silver Tableaux and Gold Ornaments add to the Grandeur
Cuttack is renowned for its elaborate silver tableaux and intricate tarakasi craftsmanship. The city reportedly has around 38 silver tableaux, with the estimated combined value of the gold and silver ornaments used in them reaching approximately ₹200 crore.
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However, this figure represents the estimated value of ornaments accumulated over many years, not the expenditure incurred during the current Durga Puja season. Puja committees also spend at least ₹2 lakh annually on cleaning and maintaining their silver tableaux.
Around 20 of the 38 puja committees associated with silver tableaux reportedly have budgets of approximately ₹30 lakh each. Competition to create distinctive decorations and attract visitors further increases festival spending.
Grand pandals and lighting drive expenditure
Several puja committees spend between ₹10 lakh and ₹15 lakh on decorative arches alone. Khan Nagar, Tulasipur, Sikharpur and Malgodown are among the prominent locations known for their elaborate arrangements.
Lighting is another major expense. Decorations may extend up to two kilometres from a puja mandap, with expenditure ranging from ₹2 lakh to ₹10 lakh for some committees. Special illuminated arches and light installations add to the overall cost.
Artisans and lighting decorators from Odisha and Kolkata are engaged to create elaborate displays, generating seasonal employment for skilled workers.
Cultural programmes & immersion processions
Cultural events also account for a significant share of festival budgets. Some committees organise musical programmes featuring popular Ollywood singers from Saptami to Dashami, with a single evening's programme reportedly costing around ₹2 lakh.
Immersion processions add to the expenditure, with committees spending more than ₹5 lakh on bands, traditional musical groups, illuminated gates and other arrangements. Certain popular bands and traditional musical groups charge over ₹1 lakh for their performances.
Including daily rituals, special offerings and elaborate bhog arrangements, the overall budget of some major puja committees can reach approximately ₹30 lakh.
Clothing and retail markets witness a festive boost
Beyond the puja mandaps, Durga Puja transforms Cuttack's retail market. As a major wholesale textile hub supplying large parts of Odisha, the city witnesses increased demand for clothing ahead of the festive season.
According to information attributed to the city's textile traders' association, clothing transactions from Durga Puja through Kali Puja are estimated at around ₹5 crore. Traders stock merchandise sourced from cities such as Raipur, Kolkata and Surat to meet seasonal demand.
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Food businesses, sweet shops and vendors selling flowers and fruits are also expected to generate more than ₹3 crore in combined business during the festive period, according to estimates cited in the report.
Temporary roadside shops, food stalls and toy sellers also benefit from the large crowds visiting the city's puja mandaps.
Durga Puja creates seasonal employment
The festival provides an important source of income for a wide range of workers, including idol makers, bamboo and fabric artisans, painters, electricians, labourers, transport workers, sound operators and security personnel.
Hotels, transport services and other businesses also experience increased demand as residents and visitors participate in the celebrations.
With spending spread across religious ceremonies, decorations, retail trade, food and entertainment, Cuttack's Durga Puja has emerged as a major seasonal economic driver.
The estimated business volume of more than ₹300 crore highlights how the city's biggest festive celebration supports local livelihoods while preserving its rich cultural traditions.
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