🙏 Durga Puja is Not About Politics – It is About Faith, Festivity & Fraternity 🙏

Durga Puja at Jharapada has always been very close to my heart. It is not just a festival but a celebration of faith, unity, and cultural pride for all of us. This year, the Jharapada Durga Puja Samitee decided to shift the Puja venue from Jail Chhak to Melan Padia. I wish to make it clear that this decision was not political—it was purely for the betterment of the festival and the devotees.

Some unnecessary propaganda has been spread around this shift, with a few even blaming me personally. Let me put the facts straight:

👉 The shift was a collective decision of the Jharapada Durga Puja Samitee after detailed discussions and planning.
👉 The reason was simple – to make the Puja grander, more spacious, and more comfortable for lakhs of devotees.
👉 Melan Padia offers wider space, better safety measures, improved traffic management, and the scope to host cultural programs and heritage-themed pandals without restrictions.
👉 The move is entirely in the interest of the devotees, visitors, and Jharapada’s cultural identity.

I strongly emphasize that there is no controversy behind this decision. The propaganda is baseless. Instead, what drives us is the commitment to present Jharapada Durga Puja as one of the grandest in Odisha.

This year, the Puja Pandal will recreate the Bauda Garh Fort, reminding us of Jharapada’s historic roots, once connected with the famous “Garhs” like Sishupal Garh, Badagarh, and Rasulgarh. It is a way of reviving our history and honoring our heritage.

For me, Durga Puja is not about politics—it is about people, devotion, and pride in our culture. With your blessings and participation, I am confident this year’s Puja at Melan Padia will be remembered as one of the most magnificent ever.