Bhubaneswar, Aug. 11 -- The Odisha government in its new guidelines on Monday allowed the Puja Committees across the State to conduct mass festivals like Durga puja in mandaps and pandals but without the participation of devotees. The restrictions which have come as spoilsport to the festive delight for the second year in a row have now irked devotees and organisers in the Millennium City of Cuttack.

As per the guidelines, Puja Committees have been asked to strictly confine the height of the idols to 4 feet. However, puja committees coming under the jurisdiction of Cuttack Municipal Corporation Puja have opposed the decision.

Expressing dissatisfaction over the pronouncement, the Cuttack Puja Committees' President and BJD leader Prabhat...