Denizens willing to worship Maa Durga at a Shiva Temple can visit Railway Colony this time. Shree Shree Durga Puja Committee is making a pandal resembling Bhubaneshwar’s Shiv Temple out of silk cloth. The five year old committee is known for ‘homely puja ambience’.
“We always ensure large participation of women in all the puja rituals. Around 1,000 women participate here for Sindoor Daani programme. Also, they accompany us during the Visarjan. It is a complete safety zone for them since our members are strictly instructed not to consume alcohol or smoke in the Puja days. It is probably due to this reason, the response from children is also increasing,” committee secretary Rana Kumar said.
“In order to prevent the pandal from any accident we will install fire extinguishers within our pandal,” Kumar added.
As many as 20 artists from Midnapore are working on developing the concept. “We are unable to gather a huge budget so try to create a familiar atmosphere wherein everyone can enjoy,” Kumar mentioned.
Ranchi DRM Deepak Kashyap and former Speaker CP Singh will be inaugurating the pandal on Saptami (October 1). Thereafter a day long Jagran and cultural activities will be held. The committee members are lining up with a group of Jamshedpur based singers for the Jagran and have invited a local singer’s group for Navami.
Pandal’s head Artisan Shankar Maity supervising the artists for past 10 days feels blessed to be involved with this pandal. “It has been almost four years I am making pandals here on a unique concept. People are cooperative and are always ready to help,” he said.
As far as the security of the pandal is concerned during daytime as well as at night hours, around 40 volunteers are assigned for the purpose.
“We plan out on every minute responsibility two months before the season of Durga Puja. It is important as safety of women, children and senior ladies is a priority,” Kumar said.
Colony residents were seen observing the pandal format and advising the artists to take proper rest as their good health is a prime concern for carrying out the work. “We never insist the artists to work overtime. They are asked to take meals and sleep on time. Interestingly, they obey our suggestions,” a senior member said.