OTV’s Ama Sahi Medha 2025 crowns best Durga Puja Committees of Cuttack and Bhubaneswar

The results of OTV’s Ama Sahi Medha Contest 2025 were announced on Tuesday, bringing festive cheer to Durga Puja committees across Cuttack and Bhubaneswar. In its debut edition, the contest honoured creativity, artistry, and community spirit by recognising pandals across 14 categories.

From magnificent gates to dazzling lighting, intricate jewellery work to grand medhas, the contest showcased the very best of the Twin Cities’ festive traditions. 

Judging was carried out through a transparent process, with eminent personalities, renowned artist Gajendra Sahu and internationally acclaimed sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik, visiting pandals and evaluating entries. Their assessment was combined with public opinion to finalise the results.

“The Puja Committees, both Cuttack and Bhubaneswar, have come up with unique ideas and themes. It was very tough to select the winners. For those who could not win, OTV has also arranged consolation prizes,” said Sahu.

“I would like to thank OTV for such an innovative idea to encourage the Puja Mandaps. Selecting the winners was a very tough task. This contest is not just about choosing winners but about encouraging and recognising the Puja Committees,” said Pattnaik.

OTV Deputy Editor Amaresh Biswal said, “We are amazed to see the efforts of the Puja Committees. It was very difficult for us to select the winners. We plan to take this initiative to other cities in the future.”

Also Read: Glittering silver, greener hues define Cuttack's Durga Puja this year

While Cuttack’s pandals claimed many of the top honours, Bhubaneswar committees too shone brightly, particularly in categories like Best Gate, Best Theme, and Best Lighting. The winners’ announcement has added to the festive fervour, with Puja Committees celebrating the recognition of months of planning and devotion.

List Of Winners & Category:

Best Puja Gate: Saheed Nagar Durga Puja Committee, Bhubaneswar
Best Dussehra Medha: Firingi Bazar Puja Committee, Cuttack
Best Jewellery: Manglabag Durga Puja Committee, Cuttack
Best Decoration: Bomikhal Durga Puja Committee, Bhubaneswar
Best Lighting: Kalinga Durga Puja Committee, Pathargadia, Bhubaneswar
Best Theme: Rasulgarh Durga Puja Committee, Bhubaneswar
Best Parshwa Devata: VSS Nagar Durga Puja Committee, Bhubaneswar
Best Bhoga: Alisha Bazar Puja Committee, Cuttack
Best Event/Cultural: Khan Nagar-Khapuria Puja Committee, Cuttack
Best Meena Bazar: Nuapalli Durga Puja Committee, Bhubaneswar
Grand Medha: Ranihaat Durga Puja Committee, Cuttack
Creative Theme: Old Station Bazar Puja Committee, Bhubaneswar
Best All Rounder: Malgodam Puja Committee, Cuttack
Best Puja Committee: Choudhury Bazar Durga Panchayat Committee, Cuttack

Also Read: Kolkata Durga Puja Pandal Showcases Kerala-Inspired Theyyam Theme | OTV

List Of Participants From Cuttack

1.    College Chhak Durga Puja Committee
2.    Manglabag Puja Committee
3.    Ranihaat Puja Committee
4.    Chandini Chowk
5.    Chandi Road–Sheikh Bazar
6.    Khan Nagar–Khapuria Industrial Area Puja Committee
7.    Choudhury Bazar Puja Committee
8.    Haripur Dolmundei
9.    Tulasipur Puja Committee
10.    Firingi Bazar
11.    Pota Pokhari Puja Committee
12.    Malgodam Puja Committee
13.    Rausapatana Puja Committee
14.    Mahammadia Bazar Puja Committee
15.    Chauliaganj
16.    Balubazar
17.    Alisha Bazar Puja Committee
18.    Nayasarak Puja Committee
19.    Bidyadharpur Puja Committee
20.    Gopalpur
21.    Shankarpur Badambadi Puja Committee
22.    Matamatha Machhua Bazar Puja Committee
23.    Sarpadurga Machhua Bazar
24.    Darakhapatana
25.    Kaligali Budhi Thakurani Puja Samiti
26.    Shikharpur–Gandarapur Puja Committee
27.    Jobra Puja Committee
28.    Chhatrabazaar Puja Committee
29. Sagadia Sahi Professorpada Puja Committee

Read More: Golden Goddess, silver thrones: Odisha’s Twin Cities shine bright this Durga Puja

List Of Participants From Bhubaneswar    

1.    Old Station Bazar, Bhubaneswar
2.    Sarbajanina Durga Puja Samiti, VSS Nagar, Bhubaneswar
3.    Maa Mangala Trust Tangibanta Durga Puja Committee
4.    Nuapalli Durga Puja Samiti, Bhubaneswar
5.    Sahid Nagar Durga Puja Samiti, Bhubaneswar
6.    Gopinath Jew Durga Puja Committee, Damana, Bhubaneswar
7.    Bomikhal Durga Puja Samiti, Bhubaneswar
8.    Rasulgarh Puja Committee, Bhubaneswar
9.    Jharapada Puja Committee, Melanpadia, Bhubaneswar
10.    Jharapada Ganesh Mandap Durga Puja Committee, Bhubaneswar
11.    Kalinga Durga Puja Samiti, Pathargadia, Bhubaneswar
12.    Patia Chhak Durga Puja Samiti, Bhubaneswar
13.   Baramunda Durga Puja Committee, Bhubaneswar