Bhubaneswar: Maha Saptami of five-day long Durga Puja is being celebrated across Odisha with religious fervor and gaiety today.
Puja began with Vedic hymns of Devi Durga mantra, playing of Conch and biting of drums.
All Puja pandals and temples are decorated with flowers and craft works.
People from all walks of life with friends and families are celebrating the five-day festival by exchanging greetings and pandal hopping wearing new clothes and traditional attire.
Devotees of all ages have started gathering at different Puja pandals across the State to worship Goddess Durga.
The five-day long festival began with Sasthi on Friday and the subsequent four days are Saptami, Ashtami, Navami and Dashami.
The festival marks the victory of Goddess Durga over ‘buffalo demon’ Mahishasura whose demonic activities had disrupted the daily livelihoods of many on Earth.
The festival will come to an end with the immersion of the idols of the Goddess and Gods in ponds, rivers and water bodies across the state following Vijaya Dashami.
To make this festivity peaceful, elaborate security arrangement has been made across the State.