Non-resident Odias celebrate Durga Puja in Bengaluru & Visakhapatnam

Bhubaneswar: While entire Odisha was dipped in the religious fervour of Durga Puja, non-resident Odias across the country also celebrated the festival with full vigour.

Kalinga Youth Association, an organisation of the non-residents Odias in Bengaluru organised Durga Puja at Varthur that witnessed a huge footfall on Friday on the occasion of Dussehra.

“We belong to different parts of Odisha and because of this event we don't feel like we are staying outside the state. We are enjoying to the fullest,” said a non-resident Odia, Diptiranjan Nayak.

During the cultural event Ollywood actors Swaraj and Sameera Nagesh stole the show with their performance. Similarly, Odia singers Manas Pritam, Srijata Upadhyay and Suman Das also made the audience dance to their hit numbers.

“I celebrated Vijaya Dashmi here and this will be cherished by me forever,” said actor Swaraj.

“I enjoyed a lot and I am extremely happy to celebrate Durga Puja with the Odias settled in Bengaluru,” said a delighted Sameera.

On the other hand, the non-resident Odias of Visakhapatnam also celebrated Durga Puja at Daspalla Hills.

Also Read: ‘Ravana Podi’ marks end of Durga Puja in Odisha

Like every year, the Utkal Sanskrutika Samaj organised a five-day festival in Visakhapatnam. People thronged pandal to see the gigantic set up and enjoyed the cultural event.