Rayagada Bids Grand Farewell to 31st Annual Gajalaxmi Puja
Dr Badal Tah,Odishabarta
Rayagada, Nov 5: A festive fervor gripped the town of Rayagada as the 13-day-long 31st annual Gajalaxmi Puja celebrations, organized by the Sri Sri Sri Maa Gajalaxmi Puja Committee of New Colony, entered their final phase. The milestone festivities, held from October 25 to November 6, brought together thousands of devotees with a blend of Vedic rituals, cultural showcases, vibrant fairs, and community banquets.
The spiritual proceedings commenced on October 25 with the sacred Jala Tola procession in the evening, followed by the midnight Abahana and Prana Pratistha rituals. Over the subsequent 11 days, the sanctum resonated with daily recitations of Surya Puja, Shodasha Upachara Puja, and sacred Homa Yajnas, drawing massive congregations for the evening Sandhya Arati and Pushpanjali.
The religious rites will conclude on Friday, November 6, with the solemn Purnahuti and Ghata Bisarjana scheduled between 12:00 PM and 2:00 PM. The grand immersion procession (Bhasani Utsav) will begin at 5:00 PM, winding through the major thoroughfares of the town.
Marking its three-decade milestone, the Puja Committee, in partnership with Madhusudhana Pathagar, hosted an 11-day cultural extravaganza. Renowned musical troupes, folk and classical dance ensembles, and orchestras from across Odisha and Andhra Pradesh enthralled audiences each evening. Community bonding remained central to the celebrations. Alongside the daily Arnna Prasada distribution, a special grand Prasad Sewan was organized on Thursday at Sindhi Bhawan, New Colony, drawing dignitaries, devotees, and local families. The fairground also featured an expansive Meena Bazaar and Food Park, offering amusement rides, regional handicrafts, and festive culinary offerings.
