Bhubaneswar: Durga Puja celebrations picked up pace in the twin city with people thronging the pandals to seek blessings of Goddess Durga on the Ashtami today.
More than 300 major puja pandals and innumerable smaller ones in Cuttack and Bhubaneswar have come alive with stunning decorations and sparkling lights. People moved from pandal to pandal to seek and admire the puja decorations created on different themes.
People were also seen shopping in malls and enjoying delicacies at eateries across the twin city.
The Sandhi puja ritual of the goddess was held after 10 pm today.
To ensure an incident-free Dussehra, the commissionerate police have tightened security in the twin cities.
While police aid posts were set up at different places, patrolling also has been intensified. The Quick Reaction Team (QRT) and Striking Force have also been stationed.
To keep a close watch on anti-social elements, CCTV cameras have been installed at strategic points, including at the puja pandals. Surveillance is also being maintained in crowded market places, hotels, restaurants and malls.