Cuttack: November 30: Cuttack, the millennium city of Odisha, has been celebrating Kali Puja since ages with fanfare and gaiety. Like Durga Puja, Cuttack Puja committees have prepared around 66 Pandals for Kali Puja. The Puja pandals are seen decorated with varieties of decorative lights and gates with unique designs. Twenty-three Puja Mandaps have decorated Goddess with silver and gold ornaments and spent lakhs of money on decoration and other expenses. Most popular Mandap is the Mandap of Bakhrabad where Chhinnamastika Kali is worshiped. A majority of the Pandals used to have a particular iconography of Goddess Kali who steps on Lord Shiva wearing a garland of human skulls and her tongue piercing out. Some of the other Kali Puja pandals are at Ranihat, College Square, Bajrakabati, Khan Nagar, Tulasipur, Bangali Sahi, Choudhury Bazaar and Sutahat. The Goddess is worshiped at midnight with proper rituals.
Twin city Police has prepared a elaborate arrangements to ensure safety and security. More than 30 platoons of Police force have been deployed to maintain law and order. The fire services wing has set up four temporary stations at Choudhury Bazar, Sishu Bhawan, College Square and Link Road with 35 firemen.
