Preparations in full swing for Durga Puja 2022 in twin cities

Bhubaneswar, Sept 27: Preparations for Durga Puja are in full swing in the twin cities where the celebrations had been muted for the last two years due to the Covid-19 pandemic.  This year, Durga Puja pandals are expected to witness huge footfalls of devotees. On the other hand, the Commissionerate police is gearing up to meet the challenge. The artisans are also busy designing gates of various puja pandals and idols of Durga. Saheed Nagar Durga Puja Committee this year will use an additional 30 kg of silver for decoration. They have also planned to offer prasad to 1,500 Saheed Nagar households on Astami and Nabami while Jharpada Durga Puja Committee has planned to design the gate by artisans from West Bengal and the idol crafted by artificers of Cuttack. Rasulgarh Durga Puja Committee has decided to donate a portion of its funds to orphanages and old age homes as a humanitarian act. Durga Puja pandal at Old Station Bazaar will recreate the beauty of Varanasi ghats. On the other hand, Cuttack’s stunning filigree work is one of the main attractions during Durga Puja. Sheikh Bazaar Puja Committee has planned to add 60 kg of additional silver to the background with the existing 2.5 quintals while Choudhury Bazaar Puja Committee, known as the pioneer to use the silver filigree work in the backdrop of the idols is also back to conduct the puja in the way they used to do before the pandemic. At Mangalabag Puja Pandal, the Durga idol, along with the other deities will wear golden crowns weighing at least 2kg and at Chauliagang Puja Pandal, the Durga Maa is adorned with a 3 kg majestic golden crown fashioned in the shape of a peacock.