Durga Puja at Utkal Alumina plant site draws thunderous applause

With the perfect combination of stage decoration and laser lights, lavishly decorated puja pandals adding to the festive mood and roadside delicacies that one can experience only at the fairs and ceremonial events puja pandal at Doraguda based Utkal Alumina plantsite filled with thunderous applause throughout the five day long Durga Puja celebration beginning from Sapthami till Vijaya Dashami. The puja pandal was drawing thousands of devotees to witness the grand celebration of Durga Puja.

The Maha Navami Puja at the Durga Puja Ground of Utkal Alumina was organized in presence of huge gathering . Chandi Path, Homo, Aarti and Puspanjali observed with devotion. Unique cultural extravaganza - a fabulous display of classical, folk and contemporary dances by renowned artists from all over Odisha mesmerised the people. Prince Dance Group - Berhampur, Fate Fighters (Mallakhamba dance) - Puri, Boogie Woogie by Stage Blaster Guys - Rayagada, Odissi and Sambalpuri by Kalaniketan - Koraput and Dhimsa Dance by local selected artists were the major attractions of the evening. Suryakanta Mishra, Advisor - HINDALCO was the chief guest of the evening. Senior officials of Utkal Alumina including Vijay Sapra - Unit Head & President, N. Nagesh - Joint President and M. Ramesh Kumar - Sr. VP (HR, Admn. & CSR) were present.

“ The Vijaya Dashami Puja was also held amid Aarti, Puspanjali, Aparajita Puja, Poornahuti & Ghata Bisarjan on the day. Puja was followed by Fire Works show and Ravan Dahan in the evening. The programme was inaugurated by Vijay Sapra - Unit Head & President; N. Nagesh - Joint President, M. Ramesh Kumar - Sr. VP (HR, Admn. & CSR) of Utkal Alumina and Santanu Mohanty, DSP - Rayagada by lighting the lamp. Attractive and entertaining Fire Works Show by a team from Ankapali was enjoyed by one and all. The varieties of shots fired to the sky was creating beautiful images and good sound on the dark sky. Fire Work show was followed by Ravan Dahan. Three young kids dressed as Ram, Laxman and Hanuman set the effigy of Ravan into fire.SC/ST Development minister Lalbihari Himirika and Koraput M.P Jhina Hikaka also visited the puja mandap and interacted with the Utkal Alumina officials on the occasion.

More than 50000 people worshiped the deity and enjoyed the Fire Works show, Ravan Dahan and other facilities in the evening including jhulas, meena bazar and food stalls. The district administration, police officials and the security personnel of Utkal Alumina effectively maintained discipline in the ground during the five day long celebration.

With the immersion of the godess, the five days long Durga Puja Celebrations and Sanskrutika Mahotsav - 2014 has come to an end. The entire programme was well organised by the Utkal Alumina Durga Puja Committee under the overall guidance of M. Ramesh Kumar, Sr. VP (HR, Admn. & CSR) who was also the Chief Co-ordinator of the puja committee.