Durga Puja is celebrated in two different ways in Odisha . In Shakti Pithas, the Durga Puja is observed with proper rituals for 10 to 16 days known as Shodasha Upachara, which starts from 7 days earlier to Mahalaya called as Mulastami and ends on Dussehra. Goddess Durga is also worshipped by devotees in different pandals across the State with great pomp and ceremony . The Idols with the backgrounds known as Medha are decorated with beautiful and artistic silver filigree work and in some cases with golden work and the entire outside structure known as Torana are built in the design of famous building sites or on different themes. Durga Puja in Odisha has become a community festival symbolizing National Integration & brotherhood.
Doordarshan Kendra, Bhubaneswar has made elaborate arrangements to telecast special programmes on Durga Puja on DD-Odia for the benefit of its viewers. A programme entitled “Maa Tume Jagatara” is being telecast from 24th September’2016 to 11 October’2016 on DD-Odia at 10 PM ( Repeat at 7.15 AM next day) . The programme is on different Devi Peethas in Odisha & Costumes of Goddess Durga. Another special programme entitled “Sharadiya Peetha Parikrama” has been on air at 10.15 PM from 28th September and will continue upto 6th October’2016. Programme entitling “Peethe Dussehra” has been scheduled for telecast at 3.30 PM during 7-10 October’2016. A special programme “Parbana Bela” will be telecast LIVE from twin city Cuttack and Bhubaneswar & from Studio end with a group of Panelists during 9th October to 12th October’2016 in between 7 PM & 9.00 PM daily. The programme will cover the Puja going on at strategic Puja Mandaps of Cuttack and Bhubaneswar and followed by the immersion procession of idols of Devi Durga at Cuttack Puri Ghat in the river Kathajodi. A special programme “Durge Durgati Nashini” covering Puja of different Durga Pandals of the State will be telecast at 9.30 PM on 11th October’2016.
Contributed By: Pranabandhu Behera ,pbbehera60@gmail.com