Silver City Sparkles: Kataka’s Medhas Shine for Durga Puja

Cuttack’s famed silver filigree ornaments, known as medhas, are once again gleaming as artisans meticulously clean and restore them ahead of Durga Puja.

The intricate crowns, thrones, lotus garlands, elephants, and peacocks that adorn the pandals undergo an intensive process involving brushes, sulphur, acid solutions, and rewelding for damaged pieces.

Nearly three quintals of silver ornaments are polished by four artisans over ten days, ensuring the city’s identity as the “Silver City” shines through during the festivities.

This year, Durga Puja will be celebrated at 172 pandals across Cuttack.

Committees are required to secure permissions for decorations, cultural programs, fire safety, electricity, and immersion processions.

To ease last year’s difficulties, the district administration plans to introduce an online application system for permissions.

With artisans restoring the medhas and pandals taking shape, Cuttack is once again embracing its festive rhythm, blending tradition with modern administrative measures.