A glimpse of ancient Egypt at the Binapani Puja Sangha of College Road in Dhubri district. Pictures by Bijoy Kumar Sharma

The race among Puja organisers to make their pandal the biggest crowdpuller in town has taken a Dhubri neighbourhood to 3rd century Egypt.

Binapani Puja Sangha of College Road browsed through a number of “themes” and finally decided upon Egyptian civilisation.

Thirty-two sculptures and paintings of mummies and pharaohs dot the walls of their 5,000 square foot pandal.

Even the idol of Durga has touches of Egyptian art.

Abhijit Roy and Monoj Kanti Nag have done the paintings, while most of the sculptures are by octogenarian Manju Das.

A few replicas have been built at Dhubri Kumartoli by Swarna Paul, while Narayan Chandra Paul moulded an Egyptian Durga.

“This is for the first time we attempted to replicate an ancient civilisation,” Paul said.

Subimal Deb Gupta, who conceptualised the design, said “theme Pujas” were becoming popular for their “educational value”.

“Few can go to Egypt and see the Pyramid and the mummies, but here at least they can get a feel of the civilisation. Children will really enjoy it,” Gupta said.

It was tedious job to replicate the Egyptian civilisation on clay, the secretary of Binapani Puja Sangha, Ramen Talukdar, said. “Painters and sculptors have been at work for a month now. We are satisfied. We hope the rain gods do not play spoilsport,” he said.

Binapani Puja Sangha has a penchant for themes. Baro Mashe Tero Parbon (13 rituals in 12 months), Debir Ekanno Pith (51 piths of Parbati), Okal Bodhan (untimely worship of Durga by Ram) were some of the themes the organisation has worked on in previous years.