One of Bhubaneshwar's oldest pujas to showcase human evolution

BHUBANESWAR: Keeping up with its reputation of coming up with unique pandals every year, the

Old Station Bazar Puja

Committee has planned to showcase the evolution of human civilisation, from the pre-historic to the modern era, in their mandap.


Around 50 artisans have been working for the past 15 days to give shape to the vision of architect Subash Behera, who has designed the mandap this year. “We want to show something unique to the people of the city. The evolution of human civilisation is one such topic,” said cultural secretary of the committee, Ranjit Garabadu.

Members of the committee said the interiors of the pandal would showcase the evolution of human civilisation, the exterior would be a replica of the

Ajanta and Ellora

Caves in Aurangabad. “Like every year, the decoration is being done on a horizontal platform,” Garabadu added.

Besides, for the Durga idol, the committee will use over two quintal of silver and one-and-a-half kilogram of gold. “We are the first durga puja committee in the city to use Chandi Medha. This time, idol makers from Cuttack have been invited to complete the work. Rajendra Muduli is the main artisan,” a member of the committee said.

Apart from the decoration and idol, the committee has planned activities around the Plastic-Free India Campaign. Several hoardings will be put up to sensitise the visitors to the ill-effects of plastic and encourage them to opt for alternatives, the members said.

“We are also going to abide by the rules of commissionerate police during the immersion ceremony. We will fix avoid noise pollution and use more traditional bands,” said Rajib Champati, a member of the committee.

The Old Station Puja is one of the oldest here. It is being organised for the 64th time this year, with the first having been held in 1955. It is also one of the few pujas where the decoration of the podium is done horizontally instead of the more common vertical manner.