200-year-old Durga Puja tradition thrives amid rain in Kendrapara

Durga Puja is being celebrated with great pomp and devotion amid heavy rain at Pattamundai in Kendrapara district on Thursday.

A large number of devotees are thronging Bangali Sahi to witness the 200-year-old tradition of the festival. Despite heavy rainfall, thousands of people are flocking to seek blessings from Goddess Durga.

"The devotees in Pattamundai are always excited to take blessings from Goddess Durga at Bangali Sahi puja pandal. It is the oldest Durga Puja pandal in the area," said a committee member.

"I have been witnessing Durga Puja at Bangali Sahi pandal from my childhood. Though Goddess Durga is being worshipped in many pandals in the area, Bangali Sahi puja pandal is the oldest and the tradition of worship is completely different here. Priests from far off places are invited to this pandal and they worship Goddess Durga here by following all the traditional rituals with utmost devotion and dedication. People in the area may skip all other puja pandals, but they will definitely visit Bangali Sahi puja pandal to take blessings from Maa Durga," said another committee member.

Also Read: Durga Puja light gate topples in Odisha’s Jagatsinghpur, 2 grievously injured

As per sources, 'Sindura Khela' is another speciality of the puja pandal. While the women devotees are found engaged in 'Sindura Khela', the male devotees take part in 'Aparajita Puja' on the occasion of Vijayadashami.

"It's a 200-year-old puja pandal. By taking part in 'Aparajita Puja', Goddess Durga blesses us with the power to withstand any kind of difficulties," said a devotee.