Odisha’s Baripada Celebrates Ganesh Puja with 15-Foot Idol Made of 25,000 Glass Bangles
In Baripada, Odisha, a youth organization is celebrating Ganesh Puja for the 18th year with a unique 15-foot tall Ganesh idol made from 25,000 glass bangles. The festival, organized by the Friends Union Organisation, lasts for 8 days and includes traditional songs, dances, and a national-level dance competition.
Festival Highlights
According to Saumya Ranjan Mishra, President of the Friends Union Organisation, the festival features:
- 5 days of prasad distribution
- Artists from West Bengal and other states
- Tribal traditional songs and dances
Cashier Srikant Barik mentioned that the organization has spent over 22 to 25 lakhs on decorations and unique idols. Member Debashish Lal highlighted the festival’s promotion of unity and communal harmony, involving people from various communities, including Muslims.
Ganesh Chaturthi Celebrations Across India
The Ganesh Chaturthi festivities began on September 7 and will continue until Anantha Chaturdashi. This 10-day festival, also known as Vinayak Chaturthi, honors Lord Ganesha as the ‘God of New Beginnings’ and the ‘Remover of Obstacles.’ Devotees in cities like Mumbai, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Surat, and Delhi are celebrating with devotion and happiness.
People welcomed Ganesh idols into their homes and pandals, filling the air with prayers, music, and festive chants. The streets are alive with the sounds of devotion and joy, as colorful decorations, lively chants, and the fragrance of sweets add to the festive spirit.
Doubts Revealed
Odisha -: Odisha is a state in eastern India, known for its rich culture and history. It has many beautiful temples and festivals.
Baripada -: Baripada is a town in Odisha. It is famous for its festivals and cultural events.
Ganesh Puja -: Ganesh Puja is a festival where people worship Lord Ganesha, the elephant-headed god who is believed to remove obstacles and bring good luck.
Idol -: An idol is a statue or image of a god that people worship. In this case, it is a statue of Lord Ganesha.
Glass Bangles -: Glass bangles are circular ornaments made of glass that people wear on their wrists. They are often colorful and used in traditional Indian attire.
Youth Organization -: A youth organization is a group of young people who come together to do activities and projects, often to help their community.
Traditional Songs and Dances -: Traditional songs and dances are music and dance forms that have been passed down through generations. They are an important part of cultural celebrations.
National-level Dance Competition -: A national-level dance competition is a contest where dancers from all over the country compete to show their skills and win prizes.
Communal Harmony -: Communal harmony means people from different communities and religions living together peacefully and respecting each other.
Pandals -: Pandals are temporary structures or tents set up during festivals where idols are placed for worship and celebrations take place.
Ganesh Chaturthi -: Ganesh Chaturthi is a 10-day festival celebrating the birth of Lord Ganesha. It is one of the most popular festivals in India.
