Stage Set For Ravan Podi Ustav In Twin City

Bhubaneswar: As twin cities of Bhubaneswar and Cuttack gear up to celebrate Ravan Podi Ustav on the occasion of Vijaya Dashami today, the Commissionerate Police put in place massive arrangements to ensure smooth conduct of the festival.

While puja committees in the Capital City and Cuttack have erected towering effigies of demon king Ravan stuffed with explosive materials, special fire safety arrangements have been made to ensure safety of the spectators.

This year, Ravan Podi Utsav will be celebrated at five places including Baramunda, Jharpara, Naharkanta, Chandaka and Jatni under the Commissionerate Police in Bhubaneswar.

Police commissioner Sudhanshu Sarangi and deputy commissioner of police visited the puja pandals on Monday and reviewed the security arrangements. As per the guidelines issued by police, spectators will remain at least 100 metres away from the spot where effigy of Ravan will be set on fire. While police have put up barricades, special arrangements have been made for fire safety.

“We have discussed various issues with the organisers like making of entry and exit points, shifting of makeshift stalls from near the Ravan effigies and smooth traffic management. If they obey our instructions, they can smoothly host the Ravan Podi Ustav,” Sarangi said.

“We will strictly follow the guidelines of Commissionerate Police. We are using low intensity firecrackers as instructed by police. We have prepared two barricades and will deploy 100 volunteers to manage the rush. A fire brigade team will also be kept ready,” Ramchandra Ranasingh, president of Barmunda Puja Committee said.

Similarly, Sarva Dharma Sanskrutik Anusthan at Barabati in Cuttack is also all set to host a grand Ravan Podi Utsav at Bali Yatra Ground. A 50-ft high Ravan effigy has been prepared while other cultural programmes are lined up.

The cultural programme would begin at 6.30 pm followed by other competitions which will continue till 9pm. At the end of the programme, a young boy dressed up as Lord Ram will torch the effigy of Ravan, the puja committee said.

While most of the places across the state will celebrate Ravan Podi Utsav today, people of Jeypore and Balasore have already celebrated the festival Monday night.

WATCH 'Ravan Podi Utsav' in Koraput’s Jeypore #Dussehra#DurgaPuja2019 #RavanPodi #Odisha pic.twitter.com/DqkxNhRffl

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'Ravan Podi Utsav' concludes in Balasore amid fanfare #Dussehra #DurgaPuja2019 #RavanPodi #Odisha pic.twitter.com/wyHauz9ewm

— OTV (@otvnews) October 7, 2019