Wednesday 1 October 2014

Durga Puja- Ashok Nagar, Bhubaneswar

The Temple City of Bhubaneswar, the capital of Odisha- a state of India, boasts of spectacular Durga Puja celebrations with artistic & beautiful idols & Pandals.

Durga Puja is an important festival of India that is celebrated with much pomp and grandeur, especially in Eastern India.

Sharing some pics of Durga Puja of the Ashok Nagar Puja Samiti Pandal of 2014 that I have clicked in the past couple of days.

Ashok Nagar is an area/locality of Bhubaneswar. Each locality has its own Pandal(s).

The pics tell their own story.
Today on MahaSaptami, the faces of the idols were revealed & Puja commenced at the Pandal.


2 days ago, the Pandal was under construction.




It was fascinating to see the workers assembling the parts and presenting the idol.



Yesterday, finishing touches were on and the Pandal was getting readied up.


The Gods' faces were veiled. Once the Puja starts, the veils are removed by chanting mantras (sacred hymns).


Today, on MahaSaptami, when I went in the morning, a screen/curtain greeted me from which the resplendent Goddess peeped out.


The Puja had commenced and the veils from the faces had been removed.


After some more prayers, the curtains were removed.


The priest performed the Puja Arti.


Conch-shell & traditional musical instruments were played.



I felt blessed when I heard the sacred chants, musical reverberations & was offered the Arti.



This was just one of the Pandals of Bhubaneswar.

Will share more pics of the Durga Puja celebrations in Odisha in my subsequent posts.

May Maa Durga bless us all.

43 comments:

  1. Awesome pictures soul sis. My best wishes for you on this auspicious occasion. :) waiting for more.

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    1. Thanks Shweta! Shared lots of pics & info Pandals of Bhubaneswar. Do check them out :)

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  2. Amazing pics! Makes me miss not being there :)

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    1. Thanks Sureshji. Do plan your visit to Odisha for the coming year's Puja :)

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  3. It's good to see how the pandal actually comes up. Beautiful shots, hope you are enjoying the festivities.

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    1. Even I loved seeing the Pandal spring to life. It was my first experience.
      Simply wow :)

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  4. Replies
    1. The last pic is truly majestic.

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    2. Glad you liked it, Induji :)
      Yes, the last pic was the one I clicked at the last after we had received the Arti :)

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  5. Magnificent divinity captured! I appreciate the idea of capturing from beginning with one line description :)
    Enjoy the festive week! :)

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    1. Thanks a lot for your appreciation & support, Ravish :)

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  6. Woooooooooowwww! Mind blowing photos! May Maa Durga bless us all! :) Happy Durga Puja 2 U!

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    1. Thanks a lot, Amrita :)
      May Maa Durga bless us all everyday :)

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  7. Wow, awesome Anita, simply missing my home on Durga Puja and your post is poking me to miss a bit more...

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    1. Don't miss, Alok!
      In today's tech-world, no missing! :)

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  8. Beautiful photos Anita..... Wishing you and your family a very Happy Durga Puja....:)

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    1. Thanks Priyashi :)
      Hope you had a great time with your family!

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  9. Brilliant Anita.. I love the decorations. Thank you for the lovely snapshots :)

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    1. My pleasure, Vinay!
      Thanks for your nice words :)

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  10. ALL IMAGES ARE GORGEOUS AND WELL FOCUSED!

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  11. Beautiful idols! Awesome pictures! If you hadn't given pictures of pandal in making, I would have thought that the pandal was a temple! Happy Dassera Anita :) May Goddess bless us all! TC! Keep smiling :)

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    1. This was the first time I saw a Pandal construction from such close :)
      You are right. Anyone may feel it's a temple!
      Glad you liked it, Sindhu.
      Keep smiling :)

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  12. Really lovely pics, Anita. Wish you a very Happy Dasshera.

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  13. Beautiful pics, Anita. Happy Durga Puja!

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  14. What an elegance and beauty! Happy Durga Pooja and thank you for sharing such wonderful images too :)

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    1. Thanks Uma! Delighted you liked them.
      Festive greetings to you too :)

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  15. It is an amazing experience to witness these lovely creations:)

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    1. Truly Rahulji :)
      Pics speak more than a 1000 words.

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  16. nice captures.. got to know about this festival details.. looking forward to more posts and pics :)

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    1. Thanks Meera!
      Do check out my other Durga Puja posts. Shared a number of pics :)

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  17. Mind-blowing pics, Anita. It deserves a visit:)

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    1. Thanks Vishal.
      Next year, different Pandals & idols will greet you!
      Do plan your visit to Odisha for the Durga Puja 2015.

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  18. Oh I had heard it right, Odhisha almost does it as grand as Bengal! Thanks for sharing Anita :-)

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    1. Anunoy, You must visit Odisha & see for yourself.
      Do check out my other Durga Puja posts :)
      The Pandals in Cuttack are worth crores of Rupees & made out of Silver & Gold filigree. They are grander :)

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  19. Plz tell me the name of temple which is related to this pandal... And where is original temple situated.

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    1. Thanks for stopping by and for your query.
      Many pandals are based on real monuments or themes. But, some of them are just pandals. I am afraid I am not sure about whether this pandal is modeled after a temple or any palace... Need to ask the organizers and confirm.
      Meanwhile if you find the answer, do share here.

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