Odisha CM Mohan Charan Majhi offers prayer at Durga Puja pandal on Maha Ashtami and waives ground rent for Mandaps

By B.Maharana
New Delhi, October 11
Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Majhi visited various Durga Puja pandals in Bhubaneswar on the auspicious occasion of Mahashtami and offered prayer for the blessings of the Goddess Durga.
On the auspicious occasion of Maha Ashtami Chief Minister announced waiver of ground rent for Mandaps which is collected from puja committees using government land for community pujas during this festive season. “This decision aims to ease the financial burden on puja committees and encourage vibrant and inclusive festivities,” he stated.
The announcement was made on the auspicious occasion of Maha Ashtami, bringing re lief and joy to numerous puja committees across the state. This waiver is a huge relief and will significantly benefit community celebrations.
Earlier the Puja Committees had represented the Chief Minister for the exemption of ground tax to ease the financial burden.
Majhi visited as many as nine puja pandals in Bhubaneswar and wished peace and prosperity to the people of the State. He visited at least nine Puja Mandaps includingi Patnasahi puja mandap in the Old Town area , Sundarpada, Baramunda and Nayapalli .
Majhi extended his heartfelt wishes to the people of Odisha, emphasizing the importance of community and cultural celebrations.
Majhi said, “Greetings to all. Today is Ashtami Tithi. On this auspicious occasion, we have got the ultimate fortune to offer prayers to Maa Durga. A new government has come into power, and with Goddess’s blessings, I have been given the responsibility of the Chief Minister and the responsibility of the people of Odisha.”
He added, “Today on this auspicious occasion, I prayed to Maa that people get happiness, peace, and prosperity and that Odisha becomes a new Odisha, a prosperous Odisha in the next 5 years.”
Majhi encouraged everyone to pray for happiness and prosperity, stating, “This (visit to Maa Durga) made me very happy, and certainly, today my request to everyone is that they should pray and be happy.”
On the occasion ,Leader of the Opposition Naveen Patnaik also visited various puja mandaps in the Capital City to seek blessings from Goddess Durga. After paying a visit to Rasulgarh puja mandap, Naveen Patnaik subsequently visited Badagada and Sahid Nagar puja pandals.
The simultaneous visits by these prominent leaders have sparked discussions and a bit of political rivalry, with both leaders aiming to connect with the public during the festive season1.
Durga Puja is celebrated with traditional fervour and gaiety all over the state, the main celebration being at Cuttack, Bhubaneswar, Puri, Brerhampur,Rourkela, Balasore and Sambalpur.
To maintain law and order , heavy security arrangements has been made and around 250 platoons of police deployed across the state, according to police sources.