Durga Puja is the time when artists are at their creative best. With the beginning of mega festive, Jamshedpur is not far behind. Craftsmen from the city along with their counterparts in West Bengal have given shape to their creative ideas in the form of puja pandals.
From ancient temple to forts, the denizens would get opportunity to witness the best of pandals this season. When it comes to the celebration the creative talents of artists get a free flow, bringing out an array of interesting pandals by each of the more than 300 puja samitis in the city every year.
"It is common in our city to have a specially-created pandal for the worship of Goddess Durga. Every year devotees pour in to catch the glimpse of our pandal," said a functionary of Farm Area, Kadma Durga Puja committee.
Mahadev Mandal, a craftsmen hired on contract from Bengal, while putting finishing touches to a thermacol cut-out of a kalash said, “I used to make such decorations back home for the bigger decorators. When I saw that there is a good demand for such work, I joined a group that creates these structures. We have taken up a few projects this year and hope to receive good returns.”
Members of puja committees informed that the craftspersons actually have an album of pandals to show clients. Once the client has chosen the structure, the craftspersons shop for materials, and gets started. The puja committees vie with each other to make the best of pandals.
The pandal of Sree Sree Durga and Kali Puja, Baridih near the Baridih market reminds of the tallest Durga at the Deshapriya Park Kolkata. Made with a budget of Rs 3 lakh, this year it's celebrating its golden jubilee. The puja is also visited by people who love enjoying giant Chhotagovindpur Sarbajanin Durga Puja, Govindpur is giving message of environment conservation. The whole pandal is a landscape depicting mountains and the Ganges. The pandal is built at a cost of Rs 8 lakh.
The pandal of Hind Club, Ranikuder portrays the Ambaji temple in the Banaskantha district of Gujarat. The idol too has been made in brass style from artisans of Kanthi, West Bengal.
Adityapur S-type Durga Puja pandal is based on artistic boat. Made at a budget of Rs 6 lakh this pandal is one of the crowd pullers in Adityapur.
Sarbajanin Durga and Kali Puja, Ghorabandha has made an imaginary temple. The puja is more famous for its Ashtami bhog and as former Chief Minister Arjun Munda resides in the same area. The pandal is made at a cost of Rs 2 lakh.