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| (From top) The pandal of Rajasthan Mitra Mandal has been made of cashewnuts. RR Sporting Club has gone eco-friendly with jute. Lalu Express chugs in at the Kokar Durga Puja samiti pandal. Pictures by Prashant Mitra |
?RAJASTHAN MITRA MANDAL, UPPER BAZAR
The puja near Seva Sadan is drawing in the crowds. The main attraction here is the pandal, which has been made from cashewnuts and their shells. As many as 200 kg of cashewnuts and shells were brought from Goa. It took two months for the artists from Daltonganj to complete the pandal. A garland made of nuts, weighing 40 kg, has been made for Ma Durga.
R R SPORTING CLUB, RATU ROAD
A significant feature of this pandal is the attractive jute work which shows kings with weapons on the exteriors. Another feature is the attractive illumination. Charlie Chaplin and Spiderman are at the gate to greet you.
DURGA PUJA SAMITI, SHAHEED CHOWK
The pandal is in the shape of huge cave. The idol of Goddess Durga has been installed in a temple inside the cave. Visitors are treated to an impressive sound-and-light depicting Mahisasur vadh. There is also a huge Spiderman, which is a hit with the kids.
KALA SANGAM CLUB, DHIBRI BAZAR
The footfall this year has gone up because of a dazzling sound-and-light show of Mahisasur vadh. The Goddess comes down from the sky in a chariot after which Durga?s battle with mahisasur takes place. The pandal here resembles Tripolia Gate in Jaipur.
BIHAR CLUB, KUTCHERY ROAD
Imagination runs riot here. The plot is geographically quixotic with the desert meeting the icy plains. Colourful Rajasthan clashes with chilly Sikkim at the pandal, which is full of surprises. No elaborate arches, no gateways, but a ghost to greet the revellers with a peculiar sound. Needless to say, kids are loving every bit of it.
KOKAR DURGA PUJA SAMITI
Like every year, this puja samiti has tried to be innovative. The idea for the pandal has been taken from the Hollywood blockbuster Anaconda. The pandal resembles the giant snake and is drawing the children. In the evening, don?t miss the ?Laloo Express? waiting for you.
YOUTH CLUB, MAHABIR CHOWK
The intricately-decorated pandal is a replica of the Amritsar Golden Temple. Made of a mixture of pounded rice and adhesives, from a distance it looks almost real. The muted golden glow adds to the aura.
