Cuttack: ‘Ravan Podi Utsav’ will be held at lower Bali Jatra ground on the bank of the Mahandi in Odisha’s Cuttack city on Thursday evening.

According to sources, a 70-foot effigy of 10-headed demon king Ravana has been crafted for the event, which marks the end of the Durga Puja festivities and Lord Rama’s victory over Ravan as narrated in the Ramayana.

Barabati Sarvadharma Sanskrutika Parishad, which is organising Pavan Podi, has also set up a stage for cultural programmes.

Extensive arrangements and security measures have been put in place to ensure a smooth and safe celebration of setting the giant effigy of the demon king on fire. Cuttack DCP also reviewed the arrangement in the evening.

Every year, around 10,000 people gather here to witness the Ravan Badha programme on Vijay Dasami. However, intermittent rain due to deep depression in the Bay of Bengal off Odisha coast is likely to mar this evening’s celebration.

Durga Puja In Millennium City

The entire was adorned like a bride for the five-day-long festival with over 176 pandals with unique themes, magnificent idols of the Mother Goddess and intricate silver filigree tableaux. Roads, lanes and bylanes were also dotted with vibrant lights and theme-based welcome arches.

Goddess Durga was worshipped at around 103 pandals with 36 puja committees, showcasing the city’s famous silver filigree work through their Chandi Medhas (silver tableaux). Fifteen puja committees used gold ornaments to decorate the Mother Goddess and the other deities.

In the remaining pandals, idols of other deities like Hara-Parvati and Lord Shiva annihilating demon Jalandhara were consecrated. The idol of Bharat Mata was worshipped at Bakharabad puja pandal as per tradition.