Interviewtimes 
Dhenkanal: Only one day has left for the annually celebrated Gajalaxmi puja here but the roads of Dhenkanal aren’t seen to be that decorative as they used to be in pre-pandemic Laxmi puja celebrations. The small city which is well-known for its famous Gajalaxmi puja has to put the celebrations in a low-key manner this year too due to the prevailing Covid-19 Pandemic.
Around 38 Puja Committees will worship the Goddess of wealth “Maa Laxmi” here starting on 19 th October on the day of Kumar Purnima to 29th October. Again likely the last year the Covid-19 Pandemic has robbed all the attractions of this renowned festival which is celebrated for 11 Days here in Dhenkanal. The artists are giving the last touch to the idols. Almost all the pandal work is on the last verge of completion. Different ornaments and pieces of jewelry that Goddess Laxmi will wear during the puja are being cleaned and washed.
Gajalaxmi puja is a grand affair here and Celebrated with huge grandeur and pomp. Mesmerizing idols of the goddess, huge decorated pandals, glittering light decorations are the main attraction here for which every year tens of thousands of devotees flock here to have a glimpse of that. But this year too the puja will be celebrated strictly adhering to the Covid-19 guidelines issued.
As per the information’s received, only the pandals will be decorated, there will be no such huge “torans” ( bamboo and cloth erected gateways) in between the roads nor any light gates. Only the pandal will be decorated with some lights and will be sealed with cloths from all three sides. The height of the idols will be of 4ft tall.
Sonukant, a native of Dhenkanal town said, “this year also due to Covid-19 the celebrations will be of low-key manner, we are missing the aura and charm of the festival it used to have before the Covid-19 pandemic. Praying to Maa Laxmi to end the coronavirus soon. We are hopeful that next year the celebrations will return to what they used to be.”
