From making a pandal using cashews to portraying Goddess Durga as Bharat Mata (Mother India) encouraging the soldiers, Rajasthan Mitra Mandal is known for its unique concept and elegant decoration and it is set to entice the pandal revellers in Ranchi once again this festival season.
Celebrating Durga Puja in a grand way since 1979, this year the pandal’s focus will be on promoting world peace. A statue of Mahatma Buddha while meditating will be placed under a peepal tree depicting that the sage had received enlightenment under the same tree.
The structure of the pandal will be on the lines of a Buddhist temple in Thailand. To give the effect of white marble, intricate workmanship is being done on plywood. The interiors of the pandal will also have the Ram Leela illustrated through paintings.
The idol of Goddess Durga will be seen riding three lions. “It is generally seen that the Goddess is sitting atop one lion, the idea of three lions is just to make it more attractive. All the other deities will also be seen mounted on three sawaris,” said Ashok Purohit, president Rajasthan Mitra Mandal.
A section of the pandal premises will also depict the range of Mount Kailash- abode of Lord Shiva. An idol of the deity will be seen here with the holy Ganga flowing from his hair.
The entire structure of the pandal will be about 41 feet high and 35 feet broad where as the main idol will be 15 feet in height. The whole event is being primed at a whopping cost of Rs 27 lakh. The idols are being made of clay while herbal paint is being used to adorn them. The pandal will be open to the public from October 3.
For the first time, a puja pandal is making a special provision for the disabled. A ramp is being installed for those on wheel chairs while the same will also be made available for the senior citizens. “This arrangement is being made because a lot of people espically senior citizens don’t visit a pandal as they have to walk a lot. Volunteers will be there to escort them for the darshan,” added Purohit.
For the food lovers out there, various food stalls serving a variety of delicacies will be put up. Authentic Rajasthani thali will also be available. Creating awareness towards protecting the environment reusable crockery made from fibre will be used by the food stalls. The organising committee is making sure that thermacool and plastic plates, spoons or glasses are not being used at any of the food counters. Separate dustbins for dry and wet waste will be places at frequent intervals while the committee has also urged RMC to ensure garbage collection twice a day. To ensure security CCTV cameras will be installed around the entire premises.
