Bhubaneswar, Oct 8: The Durga puja at Ruchika Market in Baramunda is different from many others in the city. Organised by the Sarbajanina Durga Puja Samiti, Ruchika Market, the puja is funded entirely through voluntary contributions, with people donating whatever they can.

The committee does not go door-to-door seeking donations. The practice has been followed since the puja was first organised in 1991, with the idea of allowing people to contribute without feeling pressured.

“Everybody’s situation and financial circumstances are different. For us, devotion to Maa Durga comes before money. The expenses have increased over the years, but we have managed to organise the puja every year. We organise the puja and Maa Durga takes care of everything else,” said Dilip Kumar Bhuyan, treasurer of the committee.

When the first puja was organised in 1991, committee members were unsure how they would raise the money. However, people came forward to contribute. After the puja, the committee was left with some surplus money, which was carried forward to the following year.

“That is when we decided that we would never ask people for money for the puja,” said Biren Sahu, secretary of the committee, who has been associated with it since 2004-05.

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The practice has continued for 35 years. This year marks the 36th year of the puja, and every penny spent on it comes from voluntary contributions.

“This year, even before we started preparations for the puja, a gentleman came to us and donated Rs 10,000. He approached us himself and asked us to accept his contribution. This is how many people come forward to contribute every year,” said Bhuyan.

This year, the committee has raised around Rs 30 lakh through contributions from about 9,000 people.

The contributions do not come only from Ruchika Market residents. People from different parts of Bhubaneswar and even outside the city also come forward to support the puja.

The committee also maintains transparency in how the money it receives is accounted for. Every year, it publishes a booklet acknowledging the names of all contributors and distributes it among households in the area.

“We believe in complete transparency,” said Sahu.

He also expressed the committee’s gratitude to the Bhubaneswar-Cuttack Police Commissionerate for addressing its concerns and providing the necessary assistance.

The Ruchika Market Durga Puja is also known for its distinctive rituals. The idol of Goddess Durga is immersed separately and during the day. The organisers said this is because the idol represents the Uttarayani form of Goddess Durga, whose rituals differ from those followed at other puja pandals.

Devotees believe their wishes are fulfilled when they pray to the goddess here.

The puja is conducted with strict adherence to traditional rituals, while the focus remains on simplicity. The multi-day celebrations include devotional programmes such as bhajans and kirtans, along with cultural programmes.

The committee has invited people from across Bhubaneswar to visit Ruchika Market and participate in the puja celebrations.