Overview

• Priests led Saptami rites across Bhubaneswar as devotees packed major themed pandals from early morning, with evening gridlock on Cuttack–Puri Road, Kalpana Square, Vani Vihar and Bomikhal and parking shortages near Rasulgarh, Saheed Nagar and Bomikhal.
• Several Bhubaneswar puja committees enforced Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation eco-guidelines, including bans on single-use plastics and on-site waste segregation.
• Mancheswar’s Tangibanta committee unveiled a 62‑foot Durga idol, reported as Odisha’s tallest this year, drawing heavy footfall.
• Across Assam, Saptami concluded with Vedic rituals and large gatherings, with Maha Ashtami puja slated for 7–11 am on Tuesday as per astrologers.
• Statewide mourning for singer Zubeen Garg prompted many Assam committees to cancel evening cultural programmes, install tributes and play his songs, as authorities reinforced security and volunteers supported crowd control.