Celebrating Lakshmi Puja and Gajalaxmi Puja Across Odisha

Celebrating Lakshmi Puja and Gajalaxmi Puja Across Odisha

By Lokanath Mishra

Lakshmi Puja, dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi—the goddess of wealth, prosperity, and purity—is one of Odisha’s most vibrant autumn festivals. While the Gajalaxmi Puja of Dhenkanal stands out for its grandeur and scale, the celebrations in other regions of Odisha also hold unique cultural, spiritual, and social significance. From the coastal towns to industrial hubs, the festival is observed with devotion, creativity, and local flavour.

Lakshmi Puja : The Spirit of Odisha

Traditionally, Lakshmi Puja in Odisha is celebrated on the full moon day of Ashwina (Sharad Purnima), which in 2025 falls on October 6th. Families prepare by cleaning their houses, decorating entrances with alpana (rangoli), and lighting diyas to invite the goddess into their homes. Alongside household worship, community-based celebrations called Gajalaxmi Puja have emerged across towns and cities, inspired by the Dhenkanal model.

In these celebrations, idols of Goddess Lakshmi are installed in elaborately decorated mandaps (pandals), and cultural events, feasts, and fairs are organized. These collective pujas not only reinforce spiritual devotion but also serve as platforms for social unity and artistic expression.

Regional Celebrations Beyond Dhenkanal

1. Angul and NALCO Nagar

In Angul, Lakshmi Puja takes on a festive charm with the participation of both local communities and the industrial workforce. NALCO Nagar (the township of the National Aluminium Company) is especially known for its meticulously arranged Gajalaxmi Puja, where pandals are adorned with creative lighting displays. Employees and their families, along with local residents, join the celebrations that combine devotion with cultural programs, showcasing Odisha’s rich performing arts.

2. Puri: The Pilgrim’s City

Puri, known worldwide for the Jagannath Temple, celebrates Lakshmi Puja with deep religious fervor. Here, the puja has added sanctity because of Goddess Lakshmi’s close association with Lord Jagannath as his eternal consort. Families and devotees offer special prayers at home, while some mandaps in the city recreate mythological themes depicting the goddess’s blessings on devotees. The sea-facing town also features the custom of floating diyas on water, blending devotion with natural beauty.

3. Cuttack: The Silver City

Cuttack, already famous for its Durga Puja pandals, extends its festive spirit into Lakshmi Puja. The pandals are decorated with silver and gold filigree works (tarakasi), showcasing the city’s centuries-old craftsmanship. Cuttack’s Lakshmi Puja is unique for combining artistry with religious zeal, drawing thousands of visitors who marvel at the grandeur of the pandals alongside performing rituals.

4. Kendrapara

In Kendrapara, Lakshmi Puja blends community bonding with rural traditions. Large pandals are erected in marketplaces and villages, where villagers gather for evening rituals and cultural activities. Folk dances, plays based on mythological tales, and local fairs add to the festive spirit. The puja here is closely tied to agricultural prosperity, with farmers seeking Goddess Lakshmi’s blessings for abundant harvests.

5. Paradip: The Port City

Being a major port town, Paradip’s Lakshmi Puja reflects the maritime character of the region. The local puja committees set up pandals with nautical themes, often symbolizing Lakshmi as the goddess who ensures smooth trade, prosperity, and safety in maritime ventures. Workers, sailors, and families unite in worship, and the immersion ceremony becomes a vibrant community procession, often heading towards the port waters.

6. Rourkela: The Steel City

Rourkela, the industrial hub of western Odisha, celebrates Lakshmi Puja with a blend of tradition and modernity. The Steel Plant township organizes cultural shows, while local communities across the city build thematic pandals showcasing both spiritual and contemporary designs. Employees and workers participate wholeheartedly, seeing Goddess Lakshmi as a divine patroness of prosperity, stability, and well-being for their households and the city’s industries.

Common Features Across Odisha’s Celebrations

Despite regional differences, several features unite Lakshmi Puja and Gajalaxmi Puja across Odisha:
• Mandaps/Pandals: Communities invest heavily in creating artistic and thematic decorations.
• Cultural Programs: Folk art, Odissi dance, plays, and musical evenings are organized.
• Community Bonding: The pujas act as spaces where people across social and economic backgrounds come together.
• Visarjan Utsav: The immersion of the idols, usually in rivers, lakes, or the sea, is celebrated with processions, music, and fireworks.

Conclusion

Lakshmi Puja in Odisha is not confined to household worship or the grandeur of Dhenkanal’s Gajalaxmi Puja alone. From industrial townships like Angul, NALCO, and Rourkela, to historic cities like Puri and Cuttack, to port towns like Paradip and agrarian regions like Kendrapara, each place weaves its own traditions and meanings into the festival. Together, they create a mosaic of devotion, culture, and community that defines Odisha’s festive spirit.

Thus, while the goddess of wealth and prosperity is honored across India, in Odisha she is celebrated with a unique blend of artistry, community participation, and deep spirituality, making Lakshmi Puja and Gajalaxmi Puja among the most cherished festivals of the land.

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