From Mahishasurmardini to dhunuchi naach, Durga Puja committees across Ranchi have lined up a host of cultural programmes and fun competitions for the festival.

Stepping into its 105th year, Hinoo Puja Committee, popularly known as Bangla Mandap, organised a cultural programme on Mahalaya (September 19).

The main attraction of the programme was Mahishasurmardini staged by a local group.

'We have also lined up a few more programmes on all days of Puja,' said Tapas Roy, treasurer of the committee.

While a local Bengali band will perform on Sashthi, a musical evening awaits Saptami. An arati competition will be held on Ashtami and Bijoya Sammelani will be held on October 1, when Calcutta-based Raja Roy will regale the audience with his mellifluous voice.

Another crowd-puller pandal Deshapriya Club in Tharpakhna will organise a host of cultural shows and games on all days of the Puja.

'This is our 57th year of Puja. On Panchami (September 25), members of the club will stage a dance drama on Mahishasurmardini,' said club secretary Asim Roy, adding a local group Deepanjali will present a geeti alekhya the next day and women of the locality will showcase a cultural programme on September 27 (Saptami).

Besides, there will be an array of competitions like dhunuchi naach, blowing the conch shell and ululation on September 29 (Nabami)

To mark its silver jubilee year, South Office Para Puja committee plans to entertain the young and old with a host of dance and musical shows from September 26 to 29.

HEC Sector II Puja Committee will organise a dance and an orchestra show on September 26 and 27, respectively. Moitree Club in North Office Para will hold a game show for children and adults on September 26, while cultural programmes will be held on other three days.

Anantpur-Nivaranpur puja committee will stage Mahishasurmardini and traditional songs on September 27 and dance contests will be held on other two days.