Unlike elsewhere in the country where Goddess Durga is worshipped during Dussehra, in Baripada town people worship the ‘Pancha Mukhi’ Hanuman.
This year, they erected a huge mandap where Lord Hanuman will be worshipped till October 28 before immersion. The puja committee had installed a 10-foot Pancha Mukhi (five faced) Hanuman idol. Not only the huge Hanuman idol, the committee members also worshipped small idols of Lord Rama, Laxman and Sita along with another idol of Hanuman offering prayers to Lord Shiva. Started with a few members, the committee has now swelled to 150. Committee member Vivekananda Mallick said the puja is being observed for the last 20 years.