Odia Culture / Ganesh Puja Preparations Gather Pace In Kataka As Artisans Work Round The Clock

Kataka, Sep 3: With Ganesh Puja just nine days away, preparations for the festival have gathered pace across Kataka, with idol makers working round the clock to give the final touches to Lord Ganesha idols.

Kumbar Sahi, one of the city’s traditional pottery hubs, has come alive with activity as artisans work on idols of different sizes and designs. From small household idols to large and elaborate figures commissioned by puja committees and clubs, sculptors are busy completing orders ahead of the festival.

The idols are being prepared through multiple stages, including the application of layers of clay. With the clay work largely completed on several idols, artisans have now started painting and decorating them.


Sculptors said they are working day and night as the festival approaches. Most idols are expected to be completed and delivered to the respective puja committees a few days before Ganesh Puja.

Artisans Reject Distorted Idol Designs
Sculptor Khageswar Behera said some people had approached him with catalogues featuring distorted representations of Lord Ganesha, but he declined to accept such orders.

“Some people have come to me with catalogues depicting distorted Ganesh idols. But I have categorically denied those orders,” Behera said.


He welcomed the government’s guidelines against distorted or objectionable idols, saying religious sculptures should retain their spiritual significance rather than being created merely to attract attention on social media.

“I think a sculpture should invoke spiritual fervour among devotees rather than becoming a social media view-gaining gimmick,” he said.

Behera said he has received 15 orders this year, most of which are in the final stages of completion. The idols are scheduled to be delivered to the respective clubs and puja committees three days before Ganesh Puja.

Also Read: Janmashtami Celebrated with Devotional Fervour In Bhubaneswar

Police Steps Up Preparations
Meanwhile, the Commissionerate Police has also begun preparations to ensure the festival is celebrated peacefully and in an orderly manner.

A preparatory meeting was held at Saheed Bhawan under the chairmanship of the Police Commissioner S Dev Datta Singh, where several issues related to the festival and immersion processions were discussed.

According to Kataka DCP Khilari Rishikesh Dnyandeo, Ganesh idol immersions have been scheduled for September 20, September 27, October 4 and October 11, with the events planned across four Sundays.

The police said permission would be granted for four trollies and six sound boxes during immersion processions, subject to the applicable rules.

The Commissionerate Police also said it would adopt a zero-tolerance approach towards forced collection of donations during the festival.

Puja Committees Asked To Follow Rules
The General Secretary of Mahanagar Puja Committee Pravata Kumar Tripathy said committee members had been instructed to follow all rules laid down by the police and administration.

He said intoxicants and DJs have been prohibited during immersions, while acknowledging that complete compliance during processions has sometimes remained a challenge.

Tripathy urged the police administration to take a balanced approach in case of minor violations during processions.

He also said puja committees and peace committees would oppose the use of distorted Ganesha idols and that committees using such idols would not be granted permission.