Durga Puja in Odisha has always been special, but this year the celebrations carried an extra philatelic charm. On 30th September 2025, the Odisha Postal Circle at Cuttack GPO released a striking red-colored special cancellation on the occasion of Maha Ashtami. The atmosphere was festive, with many philatelists gathering to witness the release.
This wasn’t just another release. It came on a historic postal day – the very last day of Registered Letter service in India Post. From 1st October 2025, Registered Post is officially merging with Speed Post. That makes this cancellation doubly memorable, marking both a cultural celebration and the silent farewell of a postal service that served the nation for over five decades.
The release ceremony had dignitaries adding grace. The cancellation was formally unveiled by Brother John Thomas, Principal of Cambridge School, in the presence of Sri Shakeel Ahmed, noted philatelist, and Sri Asit Nayak, Postmaster, Cuttack GPO. The artwork was beautifully designed by Ajit Kumar Raut, himself a philatelist. The red imprint captures both the festive spirit of Durga Puja and the significance of this postal transition.
For collectors, the excitement was unmatched. Many rushed to post travelled covers through registered post – both within Odisha and to other states – ensuring that this final registered cover becomes part of their collection. These covers are not just souvenirs; they are pieces of living postal history.
About Durga Puja in Cuttack – The Silver City of Festivities
Every autumn, Cuttack transforms into a dazzling stage for Durga Puja. The city’s narrow lanes and bustling bazaars glow with devotion and artistry, making it one of the grandest celebrations in Odisha. Known as the Silver City, Cuttack is famous for its chandi medhas – intricately crafted silver backdrops that shimmer behind the Goddess. This year alone, over 170 pandals are set up, with nearly 40 of them decorated in silver, and some even enriched with gold.
The roots of this tradition go back centuries. Historians trace public Durga Puja here to the early 1500s, when Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu spent time in the city and encouraged the worship of Maa Durga during autumn. Since then, the celebrations have only grown. The Binod-Bihari pandal, called Bada Bhauni (elder sister), proudly marks more than five centuries of worship. Its counterpart at Chandini Chowk, fondly known as Sana Bhauni (younger sister), is equally iconic.
What makes Cuttack unique is the artistry of its medhas. From paper and sola pith in the early days to zari work and now the exquisite Tarakasi filigree in silver and gold, the evolution tells a story of devotion meeting craftsmanship. At Choudhury Bazaar, one of the most renowned pandals, silver weighing in quintals and kilos of gold adorn the Goddess and her divine family.
Durga Puja here is not just about ritual. It is about community spirit, harmony, and heritage. Since the 1980s, the Cuttack Mahanagar Shanti Committee has ensured smooth conduct of the Pujas, allowing them to grow bigger each year. Today, nearly 200 pandals light up the city, each one a blend of faith, history, and artistry.
Walk through Cuttack during these days, and you’ll hear the rhythmic beats of dhak, see silver gleam under festive lights, and feel chants of “Jai Maa Durga” fill the air. It is this unique atmosphere that makes Durga Puja in Cuttack truly unmatched.
Closing Notes
Philatelic releases on Durga Puja from Cuttack have always held a special place in the hearts of philatelists. But this year’s issue stands apart. It bridges two stories – devotion and tradition on one hand, and a major shift in India Post services on the other.
If you were lucky enough to get one of these cancellations, treasure it. It may soon become one of the most talked-about items in modern Indian postal history.
