Bhubaneswar, Oct 31: Goddess Kali Puja celebrations started amid religious fervor and gaiety across Odisha Thursday. 

While beautiful idols have been erected in various Mandapas, the presiding deities in temples are being worshiped specially. Like Durga Puja, Kali Puja is also a major festival in the State. 

As usual, glittering 'Torans' (gates) and light decorations on roadsides attract devotees in large numbers to each Mandap during evening hours. Maa Kali is being worshiped at over 100 such Mandaps in the twin cities of Cuttack and Bhubaneswar. 

As Maa Kali Puja coincides with Diwali, the festival of lights, people throng Mandpas after rituals at their homes.  
This year, people are celebrating Diwali for two days i.e. Thursday and Friday. On Diwali, people conduct the sacred annual ritual of Paya Shradha. Houses and temples are decorated with deepas and electric lights during Diwali. 

As per tradition, people also blast crackers on Diwali. However, the State Pollution Control Board has restricted blasting of crackers producing more than 125-decibel sound. People have been advised not to blast crackers beyond 9 PM.