Vedanta Aluminium celebrates Navratri, Durga Puja across operations

Employees, families and local communities come together for religious rituals, cultural programmes and festive gatherings

THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU

BHUBANESWAR, OCTOBER 22, 2026

Vedanta Aluminium, India's largest aluminium producer, celebrated Navratri and Durga Puja across its operations at BALCO, Jharsuguda, Lanjigada and its mining locations, bringing together employees, their families and local communities through religious ceremonies, cultural programmes and community engagement initiatives.

The celebrations highlighted the role of festivals in preserving India's cultural heritage, strengthening community bonds and fostering a sense of belonging among people across the company's operational locations. The festivities featured traditional rituals, devotional gatherings, music, dance and other cultural activities, reflecting the spirit of faith, inclusiveness and togetherness associated with the festival season.

Speaking on the occasion, Rajesh Kumar, CEO of Vedanta Aluminium, said the celebrations reflected the enthusiasm of employees and their families while bringing communities together through shared cultural traditions.

"It was wonderful to see the VAML family come alive with such enthusiasm and participation during Navratri and Dussehra. The celebrations reflected the richness of our cultural traditions, from honouring the nine forms of Maa Durga, each symbolising different virtues and strengths, to commemorating Lord Ram's triumph of righteousness and perseverance. What made these occasions truly special was their ability to bring employees, families and communities together, creating moments of connection, joy and shared celebration across our operations," he said.

Across the company's operational locations, the festivities combined traditional observances with community participation, providing employees and residents an opportunity to celebrate their cultural heritage and strengthen social connections.

At BALCO, the celebrations transformed Balconagar into a vibrant centre of festive activity, with employees, their families and local residents participating in Garba celebrations, visiting a public Durga Puja pandal and exploring a photo exhibition showcasing the spirit of the season. The events fostered an atmosphere of cultural pride and collective participation, drawing people from across the township and neighbouring communities.

In Jharsuguda, Durga Puja celebrations brought employees and community members together through a series of religious observances and cultural programmes. Traditional rituals, including Mahasaptami, Mahashtami, Pushpanjali and Sandhya Aarti, formed the spiritual core of the festivities. These were complemented by Garba and Dandiya performances, music programmes, dance showcases and Maa Ka Jagrata, adding to the festive atmosphere.

The celebrations culminated in Vijayadashami observances, including Ramleela and Ravan Dahan, symbolising the victory of good over evil. The programmes provided an opportunity for employees, their families and local residents to participate in the festivities and celebrate the enduring significance of India's cultural and religious traditions.

At Lanjigada, the celebrations underscored the connection between faith, traditional craftsmanship and environmental responsibility. The Durga idol installed for the occasion was handcrafted in Varanasi by a third-generation artisan using sacred Ganga maati. Made entirely from natural materials, the eco-friendly idol reflected the spiritual significance of the festival while highlighting the importance of sustainable practices in traditional art and cultural celebrations.

The festivities also extended to the company's mining operations, where employees and their families gathered at SKS Towers in Raigarh to celebrate Durga Puja through traditional rituals, a Dandiya Night and a family dinner. The gathering offered colleagues and their loved ones an opportunity to interact beyond the workplace, fostering camaraderie and strengthening relationships within the wider community.

Across its operational locations, the celebrations brought together people from diverse backgrounds through shared traditions, devotional activities and cultural performances. The initiatives reflected the company's efforts to encourage employee participation, preserve cultural heritage and promote community engagement through occasions that hold deep significance for people.