Bhubaneswar Celebrates Ganesh Chaturthi Amid Rainy Festivities

Festive Spirit Shines Through Rain

Bhubaneswar: The city buzzed with excitement and devotion as residents celebrated Ganesh Puja on Wednesday. Although sporadic rain showers affected outdoor festivities, the enthusiasm of the people remained high. From dawn, temples and community pandals in areas like Saheed Nagar, Nayapalli, Unit-VIII, and Old Town attracted numerous devotees who came to pay their respects to Lord Ganesh, known for removing obstacles and ushering in new beginnings. Educational institutions also participated by organizing special pujas, cultural events, and distributing traditional sweets like laddus and boondi prasad.

However, rain starting mid-morning caused disruptions to outdoor activities and resulted in waterlogging in regions such as Acharya Vihar, Baramunda, and Laxmisagar. Some cultural programs were relocated indoors, and visits to pandals slowed due to heavy traffic and slippery conditions. This year, the Badagada Ganesh Puja Committee showcased a remarkable 61-foot idol of Lord Ganesh, which garnered significant public interest.

The idol at the Saheed Nagar Club also became a focal point of attraction. During the festivities, Chief Minister Mihan Charan Majhi conveyed his warm wishes to the people of Odisha. In a message earlier in the day, he expressed, “Heartfelt greetings and best wishes to all on the auspicious occasion of Ganesh Chaturthi. May Lord Ganesh’s boundless grace bring happiness and prosperity to everyone’s lives.” Notably, this year saw a trend towards eco-friendly celebrations, with many pandals opting for clay idols and avoiding plastic decorations.

Various youth clubs in Bhubaneswar took the opportunity to raise awareness about environmental responsibility. The Ganesh Visarjan (immersion) is set for September 1, with authorities advising citizens to exercise caution due to ongoing rain forecasts. The Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) has initiated a special waste management program for Ganesh Puja.

Dedicated vehicles have been assigned to all three administrative zones to collect devotional flowers from the pandals. According to records, there are 179 pandals in the South Zone, 122 in the South-East Zone, and 70 in the North Zone. Zonal Commissioners have already conducted meetings with pandal committees. Each zone has one vehicle that will visit pandals twice daily, with local sanitation inspectors overseeing the collection. The puja waste will be taken to the Pokhariput Micro Composting Centre (MCC) for processing.