Patna, Oct. 3: Goddess Durga and her childen would have hardly expected a Chinese abode during

her four-day visit here. A Puja committee in the state capital has, however, gifted them just that.

At Jagdeo Path, Durga and her children have found shelter in a pandal inspired by the Temple of Heaven-Umbrella Dance of China. The enthusiasm to catch a glimpse of this temple attracted a large crowd today.

Mritunjay Kumar, one of the visitors, said: “This is unique. Every year, organisers of different Pujas erect pandals inspired by different temples in India. To make a pandal that represents a monument outside the country is a really tough job.”

He added that the idols put up at different pandals this Puja are very attractive.

The Telegraph joined the revellers and visited a number of pandals to find out what’s new this year. While on one hand idols made of pasta, seashells and vermilion powder startled the visitors, pandals shaped like temples and monuments remained the topic of discussion among revellers.

Most of the idols in the Pujas across the city are made from clay and decked up traditionally. They depict Goddess Durga with weapons in her 10 arms, slaying the demon Mahisasura.

Those who are more adventurous have experimented with idol-making material. Three idols that are attracting revellers in large numbers this year are at Kajipura, Sabzibagh and Amrudhi Gali. (See graphics)

At Kajipura, the Durga idol has been made from pasta. Chandan Kumar, an organiser of the Puja, said: “We bought 10kg pasta and it took us around 15 days to make the idol. We do not use mud to make the goddess. Visitors are very excited to see our Puja.”

Vikki Kumar, the artist of Amrudhi Gali who has made the idols from seashells, said: “My idol will be the centre of attraction during the festival. Durga Puja is the biggest Hindu festival in the country.”

After seeing the idol, Rishi Raj, a reveller, said: “This idol is really beautiful. I have never seen such an idol. It must have taken a lot of time to complete it.”

The artist informed that it took him 20 days.

Navyuvak Sangh Shree Durga Puja Samiti at Dakbungalow Road, like previous years, is attracting a large number of visitors this time too.

“As soon as we completed the pran pratistha (invoking the goddess in the idol) this morning, people started to visit our pandal to catch a glimpse of the devi. As our Puja is in the heart of the city, it is visited by a large number of people,” said Sanjeev Prasad Toni, the president of the samiti.

Other Pujas at Rajabazaar, Khajpura, Boring Road, Sheikhpura, Jagdeo Path, Bangali Akhara, Gardanibagh Kalibari, Patna Junction, Patna City and Anand Puri are also attracting large crowds. This is, after all, just the beginning of the festivities.