Kendrapara, Oct 24: Kendrapara is gearing up for its annual Gajalakshmi Puja, with preparations nearing completion across the town ahead of the seven-day celebration beginning on October 25. Elaborately decorated pandals, illuminated arches and ornate Goddess Lakshmi idols are set to draw devotees, while authorities are strengthening security and crowd-management arrangements.

 Representational Image 

The festival will continue until October 31, with Goddess Lakshmi worshipped at 68 puja mandaps across Kendrapara town and hundreds more in the surrounding areas. Silver tableaux, popularly known as Chandi Medha, gold crowns and intricate zari decorations are expected to be among the major attractions this year.

Ornate Pandals and Silver Tableaux to Be Major Attractions

Artisans are putting the finishing touches on idols, including painting and decorative work, while organisers are completing the elaborate entrances and lighting arrangements at puja mandaps.

The Chandi Medha at the Kakata Mangala, Khadianga, Bimbalai and Madhial mandaps is expected to attract particular attention. Gold crowns and decorative tableaux will add to the grandeur of the celebrations.

Idol artisan Upendra Maharana said the work was almost complete and that the idol would be delivered on October 25. He noted that creating an idol required considerable skill, but the ultimate satisfaction came from seeing how devotees received the finished work.

Puja committee members said elaborate arrangements had been made to make this year's festival memorable. At one mandap, organisers have prepared a gold crown and a silver tableau, while a special musical evening featuring singers from Mumbai is also planned.

The festival holds deep cultural and religious significance in Kendrapara, where devotees worship Goddess Lakshmi as the deity of wealth, prosperity and good fortune.

Melana and Immersion Processions on November 1 and 2

Following the conclusion of the seven-day worship, the melana gatherings and idol immersion processions will take place on November 1 and 2.

The administration has conducted a lottery to determine the sequence in which the tableaux will participate in the processions, helping officials plan movement and crowd control along the designated routes.

Kendrapara MLA Ganeswar Behera said around 80 to 90 per cent of the preparations had been completed. He added that a request had been made for a two-hour extension for the melana and immersion processions.

The processions will be conducted in accordance with religious traditions, with the administration responsible for overseeing arrangements and maintaining order.

CCTV, Drones and Body Cameras for Security

With large gatherings expected throughout the festival, police and district authorities are preparing enhanced security measures to ensure the celebrations pass off peacefully.

CCTV cameras, drones and police personnel equipped with body cameras are expected to be deployed to monitor crowds and procession routes. Heavy police deployment and coordinated crowd-management measures are also planned.

Kendrapara Superintendent of Police Siddharth Kataria said security arrangements used during last year's festival, including surveillance cameras, drones and body cameras, would be repeated, with a focus on improving safety and monitoring.

The administration is also working to manage traffic and prevent overcrowding during the main celebrations and immersion processions.

Plastic-Free Celebrations and Public Participation

Alongside security, the district administration is encouraging residents and puja committees to make the festival more environmentally responsible.

Kendrapara Collector Raghuram R. Iyer said the municipality had appealed to people to observe a plastic-free puja. The Shrestha Puja Mandap initiative, featuring different categories, is also intended to encourage public participation and promote better festival practices.

Organisers and officials are hopeful that favourable weather and coordinated arrangements will help the celebrations proceed smoothly.

A Festival Rooted in Faith and Community

Gajalakshmi Puja is an important annual event in Kendrapara, bringing together devotees, artisans, local committees and visitors. The elaborate decorations and immersion processions form a central part of the town's festive identity.

As the final preparations enter their closing stage, the focus is on combining the traditional grandeur of the festival with public safety, responsible celebrations and efficient crowd management.

With the main puja scheduled to begin on October 25 and immersion events planned for November 1 and 2, authorities and organisers are working to ensure that devotees can participate in the celebrations safely.