Cuttack, Oct. 9: A blend of tradition and patriotism is the central theme of Durga Puja celebrations in Cuttack this year with the incident of Indian soldiers killed in the Uri terror attack getting special mention.

The Pithapur Kalia Dalhan Puja Committee here has come up with a replica of the Amar Jawan Jyoti in front of their main pandal this year.

"The objective is to pay homage to the soldiers killed in the recent terror attack. The devotees, especially the youths, are coming to our pandal in large numbers and paying homage to the martyrs," said Narayan Mulia, a senior member of the committee.

The Khannagar Puja Committee has come up with a saheed manch and a replica of Kargil's Tiger Hill, where Indian soldiers guarding the Line Of Control in extreme conditions has been depicted.

The welcome arch also has 14 fibre statues of the soldiers, jeeps and battle tanks of the Indian Army and a display of fireworks near the pandal is giving it a feel of the battlefield.

"Every citizen of the country is safe because our soldiers are guarding the borders in extreme conditions. The welcome arch is just a way to convey the message that we stand united and take care for our soldiers," said Khannagar Puja Committee secretary Prafulla Sahoo.

The city police are having a tough time in regulating the traffic near Khannagar pandal owing to the huge turnout of devotees here.

If Khannagar Puja organisers have done it with a welcome arch, those at Chauliaganj decided to donate Rs 21,000 to the police welfare fund this year.

"It is a nice concept to tribute to the valiant soldier during festivities. We hope the Puja organisers, who are spending lakhs on gigantic pandals, also contribute generously to the welfare fund of the army," said Sashikant Das, a devotee.

Durga Puja is being held at 156 pandals in the city and 65 platoons of police have been deployed to maintain law and order.