Durga Puja 2018 Pandals in Cuttack

Best Durga Puja pandals in Cuttack

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Synopsis

At the Silver City of Cuttack in Odisha, everything that glitters in puja pandals during Dussehra is either silver or gold. Here, Durga Puja is a glittering celebration of artistry and opulence. While the neighbouring Kolkata is p … Read more

At the Silver City of Cuttack in Odisha, everything that glitters in puja pandals during Dussehra is either silver or gold. Here, Durga Puja is a glittering celebration of artistry and opulence. While the neighbouring Kolkata is popular worldwide for its theme-based pandals that come up during puja, Cuttack is famous for its extravagance and the magnitude of silver and gold that is used to decorate Goddess Durga and her temporary abode during the four-day autumn festival. Historians say Durga Puja in this ancient city was started by Saint Chaitanya Mahaprabhu when he came down to Cuttack from West Bengal between 1512 and 1517 AD.

Cuttack is home to exquisite craft of silver filigree (tarakasi), which can be seen in puja pandals. It is said that Mughal rulers had introduced the craft in Cuttack. In the last two decades, many puja committees have set up imposing silver filigree backdrops to adorn the tableaux of the Goddess and the deities accompanying her. Some have even created gold jewellery and crowns for the Mother Goddess and the increasing price of the yellow metal has never really been a deterrent for them. These majestic pandals are a testimony to the artistry of filigree craftsmen, who use silver wires as thin as a spider’s web, to create beautiful designs.

Also known as the Millennium City for its 1000-year-old heritage, Cuttack is organising Durga Puja this year in 156 mandaps of which, 23 have the special chandi medha (silver backdrop) for the Goddess. Six of them are decorating the Devi with golden crowns and jewellery to add to the festive glow. We bring you a list of must-see pandals in Cuttack that showcase the city’s craftsmanship and heritage.