Pandal works on last stage
With a couple of days left for Durga Puja, artisans are working overtime to complete their job on the puja pandals in the steel city.
Puja fever is fast gripping the town with all 92 puja committees being busy in looking into details of arrangements before final touches are given to the pendals. Similarly denizens are also in joyous mood to celebrate the puja with fervour as SAIl authority and other companies have already announced bonus for their workers.
The administration and police are busy to maintain law and order situation during the course of puja. That is why the administration has taken a firm stand for immersion of all idols on October 5 at any cost; implement sound restriction (maximum 65 decibels) and timing as per Supreme Court’s guideline. To ensure peaceful celebration of puja, an apex body ‘Central Puja Committee’ has been formed under the supervision of the district administration here.
Basically maximum gatherings are expected in Sector-16, Sector-8, Telephone Bhawan, Sector-4, Sector-2 and Sector-1 B block puja pandals. Besides big pendals and idols, Meena Bazar in these pendal also adds to their attractions.
That is why after Cuttack, the steel city is famous for biggest Durga Puja celebrations. The other specialty of Rourkela is in all the pendals the idols of goddess Durga along with lakshmi, Saraswati and Ganesh are worshiped.
The puja committee of Sector-2 has roped in 31 artisans from Kolkata for pandal erection and decoration. They are replicating Pyaris Army Head Quarter using bamboo structure, batons and cloth. The pandal will be 180 feet wide and 85 feet high. The total budget estimate is `12 lakh.
This year, the puja committee will complete 57 years of Durga puja celebration. The Sector-1 B Block Puja Committee, which has carved out a niche for its excellent lighting and pandal decoration with unique concept, is recreating Dakhineswar Kali Temple of Kolkata.
Thirty artisans from Kolkata have been hired to replicate the design which is of 80 feet high and 140 feet wide. Besides, the origin of river Ganga and three ultramodern lighting gates will be other attractions for the people. This year the budget of the committee is `10 lakh.
It will complete 51st year of Durga puja celebration. The Puja Committee at Sector-16, which would complete its 55th year of Durga Puja this year, is recreating lotus Temple of New Delhi.
Sixty artisans from Kolkata have been pressed into service to construct the pandal which will cost `4.25 lakh. It will be of 65 feet high and 80 feet wide. Total budget is `7 lakh.
Organisers of Sector-8 Puja Committee will be recreating Samanath temple of Gujarat which will have a height of 100 feet and width of 80 feet. Besides, two 22 feet height and 30 feet width lED lighted gates will be other attractions. It would complete its 51st year. Total budget is `7 lakh.
The puja pandal at Telephone Bhawan is expected to draw maximum crowd as the organisers are recreating a cave from the folk tale of ‘laxmi Narayan duo on the top of the hill’. The cave will have artificial waterfall and other such wonders including artificial treasures.
Thirty artisans from Kolkata are engaged on the job. The pandal will be 60 feet in height and 80 feet in width. Total budget cost is `8 lakh. Old bamboo blades, baskets and old gunny bags are being used to give shape to it. Similarly the people will enjoy the replica of Pashupatinath Temple of Nepal in Sector-4 Pendal, America Guest House in Sector-6 H block, Hong Kong Shopping Mall in Civil Township, Karnataka State Assembly in Sector-20, India Gate in Sector-18, Dalit Bhawan in Sector-17 ABC, Japan Boudha Temple in Sector-17, Kedarnath Temple in Sector-7, Parliament House in Fertilizer Township and Akhileswar Temple of Kolkata in Balijodi. Besides at old station road, the puja will be performed in traditional Bengali style.
