By Our Correspondent
BHUBANESWAR/CUTTACK/BALASORE/KENDRAPARA: The entire eastern Indian State of Odisha on Saturday came under the grip of Durga Puja fever with five-days long festival began with much devotional atmosphere at various Puja Pandals across the State, the eye catching and majestic decorations in Bhubaneswar and Cuttack drawing huge crowd.
This year, Maa Durga is being worshipped at 172 pandals in Bhubaneswar and 162 pandals in Cuttack. Puja Pandals at Badambadi, Shankarpur, Sikharpur, Malgodam, Pala Mandap, Shiek Bazar, Choudhury Bazar, College Square and many other places in Cuttack wore festive look with tens of thousands throng to witness the Puja this year with skies remained very clear throughout the day.
In Bhubaneswar, large gathers were witnessed at Old Railway Station Bazar, Laxmi Sagar Banika Sangh, Jharpada, Old Town, Badagada, Sahid Nagar, Bapuji Nagar, Nayapalli, Rasulgarh Square, Palasuni, VSS Nagar and Baramunda.
And the festivities will come to an end on ‘Vijaya Dashami’ as usual. In Keonjhar’s Padmapur Palace, Durga Puja is being celebrated as per the royal traditions. People in large numbers are visiting the royal palace to witness the festival.
In Maa Sarala pitha in Jhankad of Jagatsinghpur, devotees thronged in large numbers on the occasion of Durga Puja. Maa Ambika Temple in Baripada received large number of devotees on Saturday. Similarly devotees thronged to Maa Biraja Temple at Jajpur and other Pithas.
