In Odisha, festive mood gripped the state as people are celebrating Dussehra festival today. A large number of devotees thronged puja pandals to have darshan of Goddess Durga. Special arrangements have been made by local administrations for the smooth darshan of Goddess Durga at the pandals. Several Durga puja committees including those in capital city Bhubaneswar and neighboring Cuttack are holding ‘Ravana Podi’, burning of effigies of Ravana, tonight to mark the Dussehra which symbolises victory of good over evil. The festival commemorates Lord Rama’s triumph over the demon king Ravana, symbolizing the victory of righteousness over wickedness.

Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Majhi celebrated Dussehra by performing a special puja at his ancestral home at Raikela in Keonjhar district of the state.