Bhubaneswar, Jan 22: A magnificent 64-foot high statue of Maa Saraswati is set to be the centerpiece of this year's celebration in Bhubaneswar. With one hand holding a veena and the other in a blessing gesture, the statue depicts Maa seated gracefully atop a swan, adorned in a white sari with red mehendi designs on her feet. The striking statue is being crafted by the Charitable Trust Club located in Unit-9.
For the first time, instead of a small idol, this year a grand 64-foot statue of Maa is being constructed, with a team of 15 artisans from Kolkata having worked on the project over the past one and a half months. The final touches are now being added to the statue, with the artisans preparing it for installation. The idol will be illuminated in vibrant colors during the puja, making it an awe-inspiring attraction, especially at Meena Bazaar.
The total estimated cost for this year’s festival is around 20 to 25 lakh rupees. The celebrations will begin with the Kalas Yatra on Friday, January 23, at 4 pm. The puja for Maa Vidyadatri will start at 7 pm the same day. On Saturday, January 24, a blood donation camp will be held at 4 pm, followed by prasadam distribution for devotees at 8 pm on Monday.
Live music performances by renowned singers, including Santosh Dora, Sricharan Mohanti, and Rukusuna, will take place, providing entertainment throughout the festival. The grand finale will feature the Bhasani Utsav on Sunday, February 1.
