Cuttack (Odisha) [India], October 13 (ANI): Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi visited several Durga Puja pandals, and offered prayers to Maa Durga on the occasion of Navami in Cuttack district on Saturday.

"Cuttack is a historical city and known for its brotherhood. I am happy and thankful to the puja committees and people of the city for the peaceful celebration of Durga puja," Majhi told reporters after visiting puja pandals.

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The Chief Minister said that he will review the Smart City project in Cuttack during his visit.

"There have been long-standing demands for making Cuttack a Smart City. Our Government is aware of it. I will review it during my next visit to Cuttack," he added.

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Odisha was filled with devotion, as puja pandals across the region resonated with sacred mantras during the Maha Navami rituals on Saturday. Puja mandaps, decorated with flowers and glowing with vibrant lights, became the centre of spiritual festivities.

The twin cities of Cuttack and Bhubaneswar buzzed with vibrant celebrations as crowds gathered at the puja mandaps to offer prayers and seek the blessings of Durga Maa. Clad in traditional attire, people flocked to various puja pandals on Maha Navami.

Earlier on Friday, Majhi visited a Durga Puja pandal in Bhubaneswar on Ashtami and offered prayers.

During his visit, Majhi said, "Greetings to all. Today is Ashtami Tithi. On this auspicious occasion, we have got the ultimate fortune to offer prayers to Maa Durga. A new government has come into power, and with Goddess's blessings, I have been given the responsibility of the Chief Minister and the responsibility of the people of Odisha."

He added, "Today on this auspicious occasion, I prayed to Maa that people get happiness, peace, and prosperity and that Odisha becomes a new Odisha, a prosperous Odisha in the next 5 years."

Majhi encouraged everyone to pray for happiness and prosperity, stating, "This (visit to Maa Durga) made me very happy, and certainly, today my request to everyone is that they should pray and be happy." (ANI)

(The above story is verified and authored by ANI staff, ANI is South Asia's leading multimedia news agency with over 100 bureaus in India, South Asia and across the globe. ANI brings the latest news on Politics and Current Affairs in India & around the World, Sports, Health, Fitness, Entertainment, & News. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)