From far, this one is like any other pandal. But, a closer look reveals the real mastery of the artisans, all from neighbouring Bengal.
Comprising 11 members, the team from Egra in East Midnapore is now busy at Dhatkidih in Bistupur, giving finishing touches to the pandal that has been made from crushed rice husk.
Known in the steel city for its attractive pandals, Sri Sri Durga Puja Committee, or the Thakkar Bappa Club as it is popularly known, has come up with yet another unique structure this year.
"The 50-feet pandal is of an imaginary temple. The structure is almost complete and will be handed over to the puja committee in the evening. We toiled really hard but are satisfied with the final look of the pandal," said chief artisan Kalaipado Pohera.
Procured from farmers in Egra, the rice husk was crushed by the team before pasting them on sheets of thermocol. "Over 600 kg of husk has been used for the pandal. Glue was uniformly applied on the thermocol for pasting the husk. Around 1,600 thermocol pieces, each measuring 3 feet x 1.5 feet with 15mm or 25mm thickness have been used to give the desired shape to the pandal," the 43-year-old artisan told The Telegraph.
Over 240 pieces of 8feet x 4feet plywood have been used for hosting the thermocol, added Pohera, who has been making innovative and unique pandals for the past 22-years. "Visitors will surely marvel at the pandal," he said as an after thought.
A huge chandelier and lights along panels give gloss to the interiors. The grand look of the Puja betrays high spending, Rs 6 lakh, said sources.
"We paid Rs 8,000 to farmers for getting rice husk. The puja committee changed plans last minute and asked us for something unique," Pohera said, adding that they had stayed away from using any paint.
This is the first time Pohera and his team are making a pandal out of rice husk. "We have made pandals using different materials but the one here is a first for us. After all, we have to satisfy our customers."
Among the mediums Pohera's team has used to make pandals for the committee ever since it took over in 2006 are cement coat (2007), mat (2008) and coconut pulp (2012). They group will head for Bengal where it has made two pandals at Chandraban (Hooghly district) and Asansol, later on Thursday.
Puja committee general secretary Sagar Mukhi said they were very happy with the work done by the Bengal artisans. "Actually, we wanted to make a pandal with shards of broken glass. But the Kadma Rankini Mandir Puja Committee had made a similar pandal last year. We wanted to come up with something unique. This pandal will surely be one of the most attractive pandals in the city," he said.
The idol, which has been made in Kadma, is scheduled to arrive Thursday evening after which it would be inaugurated by West Singhbhum BJP parliamentarian Laxman Gilua.
