Sheikh Bazaar Pandal

Here too, Durga Puja is lavish and an example of communal harmony between Hindus and Muslims. The Sheikh Bazar Puja Committee had prepared its Chandi Medha with 350 kg of pure silver in the year 1991. Although silver jewellery and weapons were prepared for the Goddess and the accompanying deities the same year, these were converted into gold in 2005. A golden crown weighing 3.5 kg was made for the deity at the cost of Rs 28 lakh and 2 kg of gold was used to prepare crowns for four other deities and demon. Ever since then, the puja committee has been adding gold jewellery to the Goddess and other deities. Predominantly an area inhabited by Muslims, both Hindus and Muslims come together to celebrate Durga Puja in Sheikh Bazaar that is located near the famous Chandi Mandir of Cuttack. Another highlight of the puja here is its light decorations. Imposing theme light gates are erected during the puja and the entire 5-km stretch of Sheikh Bazaar is decorated with blinking LED lights. A whooping Rs 5 lakh is spent just on light decorations.