Durga Puja is round the corner and Bhubaneswar is soaking in the festive mood. Puja committees have put their best foot forward to draw revellers. However, the hard work they have put in will be put to test once pandal-hoppers, dressed in their best, take to the streets and make a beeline outside the best pandals. Namita Panda and 
Anwesha Ambaly of The Telegraph make a round of the city and take a look at some of the major pandals

Jharpada Durga Puja Samiti

One of the grandest pandals in the city, the Jharpada Durga Puja is a major attraction for pandal-hoppers every year. This year, the 85-feet-high and 120-feet-wide pandal is a replica of a palace in Madrid, Spain. “After the appreciation we got for the replica of a Bangkok palace last year, we have chosen a palace from Madrid for this year’s Puja,” said organising committee president Sikhar Jena. 

The organisers have arranged for a ramp inside the pandal for the disabled and elderly people.

Meena bazaar, attractive lights, cultural programmes by troupes from across the state and Ravan podi or burning of a replica of Ravan will be the major attractions here

Nayapalli Durga Puja Samiti

The pandal of the Nayapalli puja, which is in its 28th year, is a replica of the Art of Living International Center situated in Bangalore. The 80-feet-tall and 100-feet-wide pandal has been created using mirror, ropes and plywood.

The idol this year is around 16 feet tall. Special attention has been paid to lighting arrangements. Besides, the committee will host Ravan darbar, and chief minister Naveen Patnaik is expected to attend the event. A competition on the display of fireworks will be conducted as well. A five-day-long Ramleela programme will also be staged, said puja committee president Pabitra Mohan Behera

Rasulgarh Durga Puja Committee

The 80-feet-high and 120-feet-wide pandal made of wood is a replica of a Shiv temple. Around 50 artists from Midnapore in Bengal have worked round the clock for over two months to complete it. However, this year, the committee has cancelled Ravan podi due to environmental hazards and lack of space. The money set aside for the event will now be donated to the underprivileged

Old Station Bazaar Durga Puja Samiti

The city’s oldest puja is celebrating its 60th edition this year. The organisers have created 3D replicas of the seven wonders of the world. Women empowerment is one of the highlights this year. Idols of various women achievers and goddesses have been set up inside the pandal. A silver filigree backdrop made of gold and other metals will be another highlight. To add to the glamour, a number of light gates have been put up near the pandal

Saheed Nagar Durga Puja Samiti

The pandal is one of the most visited ones in the city. This year, it is an imaginary palace built in the Midnapore style. The attraction here is lighting arrangements with minimum power consumption, said puja committee secretary Narayan Mohapatra. Special security arrangements by private security providers, police as well as 200 volunteers of the committee have been planned. The chief minister will be the guest of honour at the Ravan and Kumbhakaran podi ceremony. The highlight is the felicitation ceremony of Odia sportspersons, which the puja committee is hosting since 2007. This year, international rugby player Pragyan Gorabadu, athlete Amiya Mallick, chess champion Saina Salonika and Arjuna Award winning rowing coach Jose Jacob will be felicitated, along with Indian Idol Junior winner Ananya Nanda