The 63-feet replica of Shiva at the Bishnupur Puja. Picture by UB Photos

Oct. 7: The Bishnupur Sarbajanin Durga Puja Committee will bring a feel of Kailash in Guwahati this year in their Puja mandap.

The mythological pandal will have a 63-feet tall statue of Shiva sitting in deep meditation, with his follower Nandi and a huge cave resembling Mount Kailash behind him. It is through this ice cave that a visitor will head towards the actual idol of Goddess Durga to make his offerings.

This massive yet beautiful piece of art has been designed by Biplab Roy, art director of Bollywood fame. He is being assisted in this project by a group of 30 artisans, including a few students of the Government College of Arts and Crafts. Roy has worked as an assistant art director in the movie Hazaron Khwahishen Aisi starring Shiney Ahuja and Chitrangda Singh.

“The Bishnupur Sarbajanin Durga Puja Committee approached me to create a unique pandal that will not only be attractive but will also be something that people will remember for a long time. That is when I chanced upon the idea to create a replica of Mahadev in a meditative state atop Mount Kailash. We will create the entire pandal, including the various statues with plaster of Paris. We have already prepared the statue of Shiva,” said Roy, who hails from Rehabari in the city.

This project will cost Rs 8.5 lakh and the various people associated with it have begun work since the first week of August this year.

“We will take around two-and-a half months to complete this pandal and we will hand it over to the Durga Puja Committee by October 17-18. We will also install different statues of Hindu gods and goddesses inside the cave prepared by students of Art College. These students are immensely talented and very excited to be a part of this project. Even the other people assisting us are equally skilled,” said Roy.

These artists have tried to give a real feel to replica of the various rock-cut statues inside the cave by giving a half-complete feel to them. Traditionally, the actual rock-cut sculptures found in most caves and temples in the country bear an unfinished look. However, all is not done as a tougher challenge remains — that of making the Ganga flow from the hair of Mahadev.

“Since the statue of Mahadev is very tall, it’s a bit of a challenge to create a fountain resembling the Ganga flowing from his hair. We will use submersible motors to create this as well as three other fountains inside the cave to create a true feel of the atmosphere that may reside in Mount Kailash,” said Roy.

“This is our 52nd Durga Puja and hence, wanted to do something unique and eye-catching. The Bishnupur Durga Puja happens to be one of the oldest in the city and we are sure that the public will appreciate the hard work that has gone into making the Puja pandal this time,” said Jayanta Roy, president of the Bishnupur Sarbajanin Durga Puja Committee.