Bhubaneswar: Scramble for last-minute puja shopping

BHUBANESWAR: People in Bhubaneswar are rushing to markets and malls for last-minute festive shopping. From ethnic to western wear, cosmetics to jewellery, people are busy buying for a grand celebration of the Durga Puja scheduled to begin from October 1. Not only weekends but even on busy weekdays, popular shopping hubs in the city are witnessing huge footfalls.
“We are splurging as well as plan to go pandal hopping this year after two years of staying indoors due to Covid. I will wear five new dresses — a mix of traditional and western — on all the five days of Durga Puja,” said Mansi Behera, an engineering student.
The shop owners are offering lucrative discounts not only on garments but also on jewellry and accessories.
“Durga Puja and sari shopping are inseparable. Most women need a sari for Ashtami’s anjali. With the national handloom exhibition going on, there is a large variety to choose from such as jamdani, kanjivaram, muslin, organza and silk. Women love to flaunt different sarees in different ways for the five days of Durga Puja festival,” said Lipsa Priyadarshini, a newlywed, busy shopping.
Even shopping malls are also offering huge discounts Apart from Durga Puja, young girls in Odisha are also making purchases for Kumar Purnima, a festival celebrated five days after Dussehra .