The Temple City of Bhubaneswar, the capital of Odisha- a state of India, boasts of spectacular Durga Puja celebrations with artistic & beautiful idols & Pandals.
Durga Puja is an important festival of India that is celebrated with much pomp and grandeur, especially in Eastern India.
Sharing some pics of Durga Puja of the Ashok Nagar Puja Samiti Pandal of 2014 that I have clicked in the past couple of days.
Ashok Nagar is an area/locality of Bhubaneswar. Each locality has its own Pandal(s).
The pics tell their own story.
Today on MahaSaptami, the faces of the idols were revealed & Puja commenced at the Pandal.
2 days ago, the Pandal was under construction.
It was fascinating to see the workers assembling the parts and presenting the idol.
Yesterday, finishing touches were on and the Pandal was getting readied up.
The Gods' faces were veiled. Once the Puja starts, the veils are removed by chanting mantras (sacred hymns).
Today, on MahaSaptami, when I went in the morning, a screen/curtain greeted me from which the resplendent Goddess peeped out.
The Puja had commenced and the veils from the faces had been removed.
After some more prayers, the curtains were removed.
The priest performed the Puja Arti.
Conch-shell & traditional musical instruments were played.
I felt blessed when I heard the sacred chants, musical reverberations & was offered the Arti.
This was just one of the Pandals of Bhubaneswar.
Will share more pics of the Durga Puja celebrations in Odisha in my subsequent posts.
Durga Puja is an important festival of India that is celebrated with much pomp and grandeur, especially in Eastern India.
Sharing some pics of Durga Puja of the Ashok Nagar Puja Samiti Pandal of 2014 that I have clicked in the past couple of days.
Ashok Nagar is an area/locality of Bhubaneswar. Each locality has its own Pandal(s).
Today on MahaSaptami, the faces of the idols were revealed & Puja commenced at the Pandal.
2 days ago, the Pandal was under construction.
It was fascinating to see the workers assembling the parts and presenting the idol.
Yesterday, finishing touches were on and the Pandal was getting readied up.
The Gods' faces were veiled. Once the Puja starts, the veils are removed by chanting mantras (sacred hymns).
Today, on MahaSaptami, when I went in the morning, a screen/curtain greeted me from which the resplendent Goddess peeped out.
The Puja had commenced and the veils from the faces had been removed.
After some more prayers, the curtains were removed.
The priest performed the Puja Arti.
Conch-shell & traditional musical instruments were played.
I felt blessed when I heard the sacred chants, musical reverberations & was offered the Arti.
This was just one of the Pandals of Bhubaneswar.
Will share more pics of the Durga Puja celebrations in Odisha in my subsequent posts.
May Maa Durga bless us all.
Happy Durga Puja to you!
Linking it with-
Wordless Wednesday#5
Here are some more posts with pics of the Pandals I visited this year in Odisha:
Durga Puja - Old Station Square, Bhubaneswar
Durga Puja - Khan Nagar, Cuttack
Durga Puja - Jharpada, Bhubaneswar
Durga Puja - Sahid Nagar, Bhubaneswar
Durga Puja - Nayapalli, Bhubaneswar
Durga Puja - Rasulgarh, Bhubaneswar
Durga Puja - Bomikhal, Bhubaneswar
Durga Puja - Unit 1, Bhubaneswar
Here are some more posts with pics of the Pandals I visited this year in Odisha:
Durga Puja - Old Station Square, Bhubaneswar
Durga Puja - Khan Nagar, Cuttack
Durga Puja - Jharpada, Bhubaneswar
Durga Puja - Sahid Nagar, Bhubaneswar
Durga Puja - Nayapalli, Bhubaneswar
Durga Puja - Rasulgarh, Bhubaneswar
Durga Puja - Bomikhal, Bhubaneswar
Durga Puja - Unit 1, Bhubaneswar
Awesome pictures soul sis. My best wishes for you on this auspicious occasion. :) waiting for more.
ReplyDeleteThanks Shweta! Shared lots of pics & info Pandals of Bhubaneswar. Do check them out :)
DeleteAmazing pics! Makes me miss not being there :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Sureshji. Do plan your visit to Odisha for the coming year's Puja :)
DeleteIt's good to see how the pandal actually comes up. Beautiful shots, hope you are enjoying the festivities.
ReplyDeleteEven I loved seeing the Pandal spring to life. It was my first experience.
DeleteSimply wow :)
That was a nice tour Anita.
ReplyDeleteThe last pic is truly majestic.
DeleteGlad you liked it, Induji :)
DeleteYes, the last pic was the one I clicked at the last after we had received the Arti :)
Magnificent divinity captured! I appreciate the idea of capturing from beginning with one line description :)
ReplyDeleteEnjoy the festive week! :)
Thanks a lot for your appreciation & support, Ravish :)
DeleteLovely pics Anita :)
ReplyDeleteGlad you liked, Renu :)
DeleteWoooooooooowwww! Mind blowing photos! May Maa Durga bless us all! :) Happy Durga Puja 2 U!
ReplyDeleteThanks a lot, Amrita :)
DeleteMay Maa Durga bless us all everyday :)
Wow, awesome Anita, simply missing my home on Durga Puja and your post is poking me to miss a bit more...
ReplyDeleteDon't miss, Alok!
DeleteIn today's tech-world, no missing! :)
Beautiful photos Anita..... Wishing you and your family a very Happy Durga Puja....:)
ReplyDeleteThanks Priyashi :)
DeleteHope you had a great time with your family!
Brilliant Anita.. I love the decorations. Thank you for the lovely snapshots :)
ReplyDeleteMy pleasure, Vinay!
DeleteThanks for your nice words :)
ALL IMAGES ARE GORGEOUS AND WELL FOCUSED!
ReplyDeleteThanks Uppali for your lovely words :)
DeleteBeautiful idols! Awesome pictures! If you hadn't given pictures of pandal in making, I would have thought that the pandal was a temple! Happy Dassera Anita :) May Goddess bless us all! TC! Keep smiling :)
ReplyDeleteThis was the first time I saw a Pandal construction from such close :)
DeleteYou are right. Anyone may feel it's a temple!
Glad you liked it, Sindhu.
Keep smiling :)
Really lovely pics, Anita. Wish you a very Happy Dasshera.
ReplyDeleteThanks Rachna! Hope you had a great time :)
DeleteBeautiful pics, Anita. Happy Durga Puja!
ReplyDeleteThanks Vinitha! Best wishes to you :)
DeleteWhat an elegance and beauty! Happy Durga Pooja and thank you for sharing such wonderful images too :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Uma! Delighted you liked them.
DeleteFestive greetings to you too :)
big and striking :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for your feedback :) Means a lot!
DeleteIt is an amazing experience to witness these lovely creations:)
ReplyDeleteTruly Rahulji :)
DeletePics speak more than a 1000 words.
nice captures.. got to know about this festival details.. looking forward to more posts and pics :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Meera!
DeleteDo check out my other Durga Puja posts. Shared a number of pics :)
Mind-blowing pics, Anita. It deserves a visit:)
ReplyDeleteThanks Vishal.
DeleteNext year, different Pandals & idols will greet you!
Do plan your visit to Odisha for the Durga Puja 2015.
Oh I had heard it right, Odhisha almost does it as grand as Bengal! Thanks for sharing Anita :-)
ReplyDeleteAnunoy, You must visit Odisha & see for yourself.
DeleteDo check out my other Durga Puja posts :)
The Pandals in Cuttack are worth crores of Rupees & made out of Silver & Gold filigree. They are grander :)
Plz tell me the name of temple which is related to this pandal... And where is original temple situated.
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by and for your query.
DeleteMany pandals are based on real monuments or themes. But, some of them are just pandals. I am afraid I am not sure about whether this pandal is modeled after a temple or any palace... Need to ask the organizers and confirm.
Meanwhile if you find the answer, do share here.