Sambalpur, 25th Sept 2025: One of Sambalpur’s oldest Sharadiya (Durga Puja) celebrations, the Maneswar Sarbajanin Durga Puja, has entered its 50th year and will be commemorated with a grand Golden Jubilee celebration this year.
To mark this milestone, a magnificent pandal and decorative gate resembling the Swarnamahal (Golden Palace) are under construction. Inside this grand pandal, a 10-foot tall clay idol of Mahishasuramardini (Goddess Durga) along with her accompanying deities will be worshipped.
Cultural Programs and Highlights:
From Ashtami (30th September) to Vijaya Dashami (2nd October), various evening cultural programs will entertain the devotees. Among the major attractions:
Ramleela performance
Dandiya dance on Mahasaptami
Melody night by local and renowned artists
Bhajan Sandhya on Ashtami evening
Dance performance by Tulasi Mahila Danda Nrutya Group from Sonepur
Musical night by popular singer Umakanta Barik and his team
Ravana Dahan (Burning of Ravana effigy) event will also take place
Special Arrangements:
Committee President Plantis Phulkarsha stated that to make the Golden Jubilee celebration more attractive, several new programs and innovations are being introduced.
On Ashtami evening, an orchestra performance and Ramleela will be presented.
On 2nd October (Thursday), the Vijaya Dashami rituals will be performed, followed by colorful cultural programs.
Devotional Experience with Safety & Environment Focus:
Devotees visiting the pandal will experience not only the divine darshan of Goddess Jagajjanani, but also various forms of dance and music as part of the entertainment.
The committee is giving top priority to:
Crowd control and orderly darshan
Maintaining a pollution-free environment
Completely avoiding the use of plastic items
Promoting an eco-friendly puja celebration
Volunteers will be deployed to assist devotees and ensure smooth arrangements at both the pandal and cultural program venues.