Continuing the festive fervour, Odisha celebrates Gajalaxmi Puja after Durga Puja where Goddess Laxmi –the Goddess of wealth, is worshipped.
The puja begins on Kumar Purnima, which is the full-moon day (Sharad Purnima) on the Odia month of Aswina, marking the beginning of Kartika as per the Odia calendar.
While Gajalaxmi Puja is celebrated across Odisha, the puja celebrations in Dhenkanal and Kendrapara are the most well-known.
In Dhenkanal, Goddess Laxmi is worshipped for 11 days from the day of Kumar Purnima while in Kendrapara it is celebrated for seven days.
Both the cities are decked up with huge tableaus, gigantic gates, and decorative lights for the extravaganza.
Various cultural performances, folk dances, and musical events are organized during the festival period.
Goddess Gajalaxmi will be worshipped in as many as 38 puja pandals this year in Dhenkanal.
The Puja committees of Meena Bazaar, Ganesh Bazaar, Laxmi Bazaar, Kaibalya Bazaar, and Gudia Nalee will worship Goddess Gajalaxmi in silver tableaux, called ‘chandi medha’, this year.
These stunning silver displays will add splendour to the celebrations and are expected to attract a large number of devotees.