Palki made of 2.5 kg gold shines in Kathgada Sahi on Dola Dashami

Cuttack: To enhance the grandeur of the traditional Dola festival, Sri Sri Madan Mohan Jewish Durga Puja Committee of Kathgada Sahi has come up with ‘Dola Bimana’ (palanquin) made of gold for the first time.

Decorated with intricate gold-silver work, a five-feet long palanquin with idols of Lord Krishna and Goddess Radha was displayed in front of the Madan Mohan Jewish Temple in Kathgada Sahi on the occasion of Dola Dashami on Tuesday.
According to residents of Kathgada Sahi, Dola Vimana made of 80 kg silver was being used during the Dola festival for the last eight years. However before the last Durga Puja, a meeting was called where the residents unanimously decided to build a Dola Viman made of gold to give a unique touch to the festival.

Soon after this an estimate was prepared and it was decided to construct the palanquin with 4 kg of gold. After the decision, local people started contributing money for it as per their willingness and ability. Initially, 500 grams of gold was purchased on the day of Durga Ashtami for this purpose. The work of making the gold Dola Vimana was entrusted to the famous filigree artist Pradeep Kumar Prasthi of Alisha Bazar.
Kathgada Sahi Yubak Sangh secretary Gagan Ojha said Prusty had started making the gold palanquin in January along with five to six other artisans. So far 75 percent work has been completed. Of the estimated 4 kg gold, 2.5 kg has been used in the construction of Dola Biman at a cost of Rs 2 crore, which also includes the wages of the artisans,” he said, adding that work with the remaining 1.5 kg of gold will be done before the next phase of construction. Dola festival of the year.
Ojha said the deities, Lord Krishna and Goddess Radha, installed inside the golden palanquin, will participate in six fairs from Dola Dashami to Dola Purnima in Telenga Bazaar, Chaudhary Bazaar, Kathgada Sahi, Darkhapatna and Chauliaganj areas of the city.