Yes, just like every year, people are very excited about Ganesh Chaturthi. In some areas, the preparation for the mandap has been going on for three weeks; in some mandap, the idol is being made. This time, such a big fair is being organised in sectors like Udit Nagar, Basanti, and Chhend, which the committee members have been planning for a long time.
Everyone decorates the pavilion with different themes to win the people’s hearts and become an attraction point. This year, civil Township, Gajanand Samithi Pandal, is making a replica of Kedarnath, Uttarakhand. Chhend, Siddhi Vinayak Club, near BSNL Chowk, making a replica of Vatican City, Rome. Shree Bal Ganesh Puja Committee Powerhouse is making a replica of Dakshinesware Kali Temple, Kolkata.
Hindustan Youth Committee Kalinga Vihar, Chhend is making a replica of Lalbaugcha Raja, Mumbai murti, which is 15 feet high near Biju Patnaik Chowk.
Shivaji Yuva Sang, Lal Building Gali Mangal Bhawan Chowk, is making a replica of Hadimba Devi Temple, Manali, Himachal Pradesh, with Ganapati murti and 50,000 artificial multicolour roses. Satya Narayan Welfare Committee Jagda makes Ganapati murti with different types of lia like ukhuda and Khai.
Helpage Club Basanti Colony is making a unique pandal height likely to be 65ft. Akhandalamani Ganesh puja committee, DAV Chowk, making a replica of Kotilingeshwara Temple. All these are famous pandals; apart from this, 100 more mandap and giant pandas are being built in Rourkela in 2024.
In Rourkela, people have become devoted to bringing Ganapati from every nook and corner; they bring small idols and worship Bappa at home for ten days, praying for happiness and prosperity.