Floods fail to steal fun and frolic from Bhadrak Kali Puja

BHADRAK: The festival of lights has brought Bhadrak a much needed relief from the dark days of deluge, a few weeks back. Theenthusiasm of the Kali Puja revellers in the district knew no bounds, despite floods wreaking havoc in the district only a few weeks back.
All doubts over people's participation in the celebrations have been proved false, as scores of enthusiasts - from eight to 80, are out on the streets to partake of the fun.Pandal hoppers, opera goers, stall owners and all those who wait every year with a bated breath to be a part of Kali Puja, have already had their quota of fun full during the celebrations. This year, there are over 50 pandals in various parts of the district, and the festivities are continuing for seven days.
"Weeks before the Puja, we were doubtful over the participation of people in the wake of the recent floods that ravaged several areas of the district, but much to our surprise and happiness, the inflow of visitors has been the same as witnessed in the previous years. We can read the excitement and spirit on the faces of the people from all walks of life and from all areas of the district and outside," said a puja organizer.
More than 1.5 lakh people are thronging the pandals at Charampa in Bhadrak, where five reputed and age-old puja mandaps are located in one area. Meenabazar, opera parties, circus shows and giant wheels, along with the stalls selling, food items, handicrafts and household items are flooded with customers," said Dillip nayak, the secretary of the School Road puja committee.
"Kalipuja brings back a lot of memories and makes me feel nostalgic. It is the biggest festival of Bhadrak, and we always look forward to it. Though the flood has taken a heavy toll on us just before the beginning of the pujas, nevertheless, we have organized puja by collecting donations from among the members of the puja committee in the same fervor and gaitey as before, and prayed before the goddess for the protection of our village from the fury of floods in future," said Dillip Mishra, the president of the Brahmanipal Kali Puja committee in Dhamnagar, the area worst hit by the recent floods.