In a set of guidelines issued by the state government, the idols of the much awaited Durga Puja were limited to be under 4 feet in height. This erupted a sense of mixed feelings among the residents of the twin cities of Cuttack and Bhubaneswar. Before the pandemic creeped in and almost turned everyone’s lives around, the Durga Puja of the twin cities were known around the state for it’s grandeur and pandals.
However, last year, the puja committees adhered to the guidelines and limited their idol sizes to four feet.
This year, the government set the same rules. However protests erupted around Cuttack demanding the government to withdraw the limitations on the size of the idol.
“We as residents are ready to obey all the guidelines issued by the government but we don’t understand what is the co-relation between the size of the idol and the flouting of Covid norms,” said a local resident.
However, no such dissent was seen by the Puja committees of Bhubaneswar.
A member of the Station Bazar Puja committee said, “There’s no brotherhood like Cuttack in Bhubaneswar. That’s why we have not taken any step. In Cuttack, all the Puja committees have gotten together and are protesting against the government decision.”
“In case the size is reduced, we have to use fake jewellery and the grandeur of Maa will reduce. It will look like Khudurukuni Puja is being celebrated,” he added.
According to the Shahid Nagar Puja Committee, “We have drafted a letter to the Chief Minister’s office. We are up for a discussion if they invite us. Whatever decision comes, it will be for all.”