Ravan Podi celebrated at 13 places in Bhubaneswar

Huge effigies of Ravan are destroyed on the occasion of Ravan podi in Bhubaneswar. This ritual is performed at least in 13 places around the city.The celebrations are huge at five places namely Baramunda, Nayapalli, Saheed Nagar, Jharpada and Rasulgarh. At least Rs 12 lakh spent on it.

“We spent about Rs 2.5 lakh this year. Last year it was Rs 1.5 lakh. Specialist cracker makers from Nayagarh, Balipatna, Sunakhela and Patra Pada came to take part in the competition”, said Nabakishor Behera, member of Nayapalli Puja Committee. He said the effigies have been mainly prepared with bamboo and straw. “Before the main event, there was a spectacular cultural programme”, said Behera.

“We have kept two effigies of Ravan and his brother Kumbhkarna stuffed with explosive materials ready. Expert cracker-makers from from Jajpur will put together the explosives that have been brought from Sivakasi,” said Narayan Mohapatra, secretary of Sahid Nagar Puja Committee. He said the height of Ravan effigy is about 50 ft, while that of Kumbhakarna is 40 ft.

Chief minister Naveen Patnaik attended the celebrations at the Nayapalli puja pandal. He also attended the Ravan Podi Utsav at Sahid Nagar. MP Baijayant Panda attended the Rasulgarh Ravan Podi. Cricketer Ajinkya Rahane was at Barmunda Ravan Podi.

Ravan podi, according to mythology, is said to be a marking the triumph of good over evil. About a decade ago, the concept of Ravan Podi was not popular in the capital city that gets lively during Durga Puja. In order to add grandeur to puja revelry, the committees felt the need to organize Ravan podi utsav, said Sikhar Chandra Jena of Jharpada Puja Committee. Source – The Times of India