A grander Chandi Medha to adorn Kaibalaya’s Laxmi puja this year

Enhancing the grandeur of this year’s Laxmi puja, the Kaibalya Bazaar puja committee has decided to install a 70kg Chandi Medha, a significant upgrade from last year’s 40kg silver filigree tableau, says Sandeep Sarangi, member of the committee.


Every year each of the 38 puja committees in Dhenkanal spends lakhs on the making of Chandi Medha, a center of attraction of all the puja pandals. The silver tableaux, designed with intricate filigree, serves as the backdrop for the goddess’ idol.


This year the budget has been pegged at Rs. 15 lakhs and a major chunk of it is funded by community contribution, amounting to about Rs. 10 lakhs. “The deep sense of faith and competitive spirit are the primary forces behind the generous community support we get,” said Sarangi.

The rest, however, is sourced from the modest per-day payments made by vendors of the bazaar throughout the year. “I pay Rs. 20 everyday as my contribution towards Laxmi puja. The funds are collected and deposited in a bank account, managed by the committee,” a stationary shop owner in the bazaar said. Whereas, the households pay a cumulative amount, usually ranging from Rs. 500 to Rs. 1000 each, a few days before the commencement of puja.


The Odisha government has also extended financial assistance of Rs. 50,000 to each Gajalaxmi Puja Committee across the district.



In Dhenkanal, the festival is celebrated at a massive scale with thousands of believers from across Odisha thronging as many as 38 pandals. The history of this festival in the district dates back to 1923, when Lt. Braja Kishore Pattnaik performed this puja on Hanuman temple campus.