Bhubaneswar: Like every year, Durga puja pandals here are a reflection of art and culture and religious traditions of the region. With every passing year, they are showcasing indigenous talent with a touch of modernity.
With almost all pandals are decked to invite devotees and revellers, a look around them gives the impression that quite a few of them have an international flavour. For example, there are models of heritage structures from Spain, Italy and London. There are, of course, a few replicas of Indian monuments. Orissa POST visited some of the pandals and explored their themes. There are 178 Durga puja pandals in the city this year, six more than last year.
Nayapalli puja mandap
Nayapalli Durga Puja Samiti has brought an Italian flavour to its pandal as it replicates Italy’s famous Altare della Patria. But it has a ‘desi’ touch as various statues depicting the ‘Dharmayudh’ of Kurukshetra between Kauravas and Pandavas have been showcased. Chitrasen Behera, vice president of the puja committee, said the 120X120ft pandal has been erected by 60 artisans who sweated it out for three months. He said one of its main attractions is ‘Ramlila’. Pandal hoppers can also enjoy ‘Anna Prasad’.
Sahid Nagar puja mandap
The 80X120 ft Sahid Nagar Durga mandap is based on the theme of famous Padmavati Palace of Chittorgarh, and is a replica of the Chittor fort in Rajasthan. Sahid Nagar Durga Puja Samiti Joint Secretary Manoranjan Mohapatra said, “The major attraction of this pandal is ‘Meena Bazaar’ and the giant wheel. The other attractions are Chandi Medha for the Goddess and 100 gm gold jewellery to be worn by the idol.”
Baramunda puja mandap
They always come up with low-cost but innovative ways of decorating the pandal. This time they have planned to build an imaginary palace and have named it Durga Mahal. Unlike others, we didn’t want to follow any other structures and create a master piece, said Narayan Sahoo.
Jharpada puja mandap
Jharpada Durga Puja Samiti is constructing a replica of Albert Hall Museum, the State Museum of Rajasthan.
Rasulgarh puja mandap
Rasulgarh committee, in the 26th year of organizing the puja, has created a model of London’s Royal Albert Hall. Pradeep Barisal, the puja committee president, said, “We have created the 80X120 ft pandal using colour stones.”
Bomikhal puja mandap
They are showcasing the London’s Royal Law Courts decorated with ice cream sticks and betel nuts, giving a ‘go green’ message. Titli had given jitters for the organisers but they succeeded in making the pandal, said Joint Secretary Shilendra Jena.
Arindam Ganguly, OP