Bhubaneswar: Festive spirit continued to grip Odisha where Laxmi Puja is being celebrated at well-decorated and decked up pandals amid fervour and enthusiasm.

After Dussehra, the next important festival that is celebrated with community participation in the state is Gajalaxmi Puja or Laxmi Puja. The puja committees put up massive pandals and instal huge idols of Goddess Laxmi decorated with silver and gold ornaments. ADVERTISEMENT

With the puja pandals attracting large gatherings, security has been tightened in several places, including Kendrapada and Dhenkanal, to ensure smooth conduct of the Gajalaxmi Puja which commenced from Monday.

Kendrapada Superintendent of Police Siddharth Kataria said 30 platoons of force have been deployed for the festival. Seven temporary police aid posts h

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