City Puja Pandals Jump on the Tourism Bandwagon

The Durja Puja has kicked off in the twin city with people thronging the Puja Pandals in huge numbers. About 155 puja pandals in Cuttack and over 50 puja pandals in Bhubaneswar have been set up, which include 18 super expensive Chandi Medhas.

The twin city police commisionerate has appointed 1000 civilians as special police officers (SPOs) for the five-day puja affairs in addition to keeping heightened vigil and security measures to ensure peaceful observance of the festival.

Glorious Puja Pandals

Interestingly, there is growing tourism awareness among various Puja Committees in the city this year. Many Puja Committees, therefore, have put up Pandals that tastefully replicate different tourist destinations in India.

So, let’s take a look some of the Pandals.

Jharapada 

In their attempt to put up an outstanding show and remain in the race of the best Durgapuja Pandal in Bhubaneswar, the Jharapada Puja Committee has built a replica of  the Grand Palace, Bangkok. Have they succeeded in doing so? We leave this up to those who have actually been to Bangkok’s Grand Palace.

Saheed Nagar

Saheed Nagar Puja Committee has created a pandal with sea shells and their powder. Artisans from West Bengal have been hired to create this piece of art.

Image Credit: My Bhubaneswar Facebook Page

Rasulgarh 

The Rasulgarh Puja Committee has set up a 70 feet high Buddhist monastery of Sikkim, which will be ornately designed with steel and aluminium.

Around 40 artisans from West Bengal have been roped in for the work that began soon after Ganesh Puja.

Nayapalli

At Nayapalli, you can see this gigantic replica of the majestic 19th century Laxmivilas Palace of Vadodara. According to the Puja Committee, only thin strips of bamboo sheets have been used to make the 70 feet high and 120 feet wide replica.

NB: We will keep updating this space with more Puja pics, videos and updates. Stay tuned! If you want to send us pictures of your locality with any specific information that needs to be spread, you’re most welcome. Please, send your inputs to discoverbhubaneswar@gmail.com or visit our Facebook Page and send them to us via private message.