Vijayadashami celebrations underway, Ravana Podi in evening

Bhubaneswar: Vijayadashami, a celebration of victory of good over evil, is being observed across the State today. Since morning devotees are making beeline to Durga mandaps and temples to seek blessings of the Goddess.

As per traditions, ‘aparajita’ puja, Dashami puja and Somanath rituals of Goddess of Durga followed by Purnahuti will be performed today.

Today is the culmination of the 10-day Dusshera festival at the puja mandaps.

On the other hand, pandals have made arrangements for the 'Ravana Podi' this evening, during which effigy of demon king Ravana will be torched to mark the victory of Rama on the occasion of Vijayadashami.

In Cuttack, 160 Durga puja 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.

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik in a twitter message prayed for peace, prosperity and progress of the people of the State on the occasion of Vijayadashami.

https://twitter.com/Naveen_Odisha/status/913973028026957824

Meanwhile, the Ravana Podi was organised at pandals in Balasore yesterday when invited guests set on fire a giant effigy of the demon king.