Vijayadashami, a celebration of victory of good over evil, is being observed across Odisha today. Since morning devotees are making beeline to Durga mandaps and temples to seek blessings of Goddess Durga.
As per the tradition, Aparajita puja, Dashami puja and Somanath rituals followed by Purnahuti of the Goddess will be performed today.
Dashami puja culminates the 10-day Dusshera festival at the puja mandaps.
In Cuttack, many pandals have been put up of which 28 are Chandi Medhas or silver tableaux whereas grand and illuminated puja pandals with gigantic gates are the biggest draw for visitors in the capital city Bhubaneswar.
On the other hand, puja committees have made arrangements for the 'Ravana Podi' this evening, during which effigy of demon king Ravana will be torched to mark the victory of Lord Rama over demon King Ravana on the occasion of Vijayadashami.
Baramunda puja committee in Bhubaneswar has prepared an 80-feet Ravana effigy to set on fire this year. Similarly, the residents of Cuttack are all set to witness the feat of fire at the Baliyatra field where Barabati Sarvadharma Sanskrutika Parishad is organizing the Ravana Podi.
Meanwhile, in a departure to eastern Odisha tradition, the Ravana Podi in Jeypore puja pandals was organized on Tuesday after setting a giant effigy of the demon king on fire.