Puja pandals to showcase a mix of technology and traditions

GUWAHATI, Oct 13: Altogether 459 puja pandals under constructions in and around the Guwahati city will feature a blend of technology and tradition. Starting from religious fervours, culture, tradition and sites of historical importance, the pendals will also showcase various contemporary issues like child lifting, corruption and domestic violence. Notably, more than half of the 459 numbers of pandals have been celebrating this great religious occasion over the last many decades.

However, this year, the puja panels seem more competitive to illuminate their respective pandals to attract devotees. With an objective to attract the devotees, puja panels have been engaging in building a scinating pandals with catchy themes. As such, various traditional and technological features have been given a preferred space.

Eventually, the 19th edition of the Santipur Sluice Gate Sarbajannin Puja will portray the 2018 FIFA World Cup. It will also feature Ahom General Lachit Borphukan’s great saying that ‘his uncle is not greater than his country’ through graphic images.

The 43rd edition of Geetanagar Sarbajannin Puja will feature Ramakrishna Belur Math located at Kolkata. On the Other hand, New Field Sarbajannin Puja Committee of Paltan Bazar has a tradition of offering gold ornaments to the idol of Goddess Durga. Hence, during the 82nd edition of its Durga Puja celebration, the New Field Sarbajannin Puja Committee will offer ornaments weighing 32 tola.

The 43rd edition of the Bhairabtola Sarbajannin Puja of Kahiliapara will portray the pyramid and civilization of Missouri. Similarly, the 76th edition of Tokobari Baruwari Sarbajannin Puja will present a 50-foot tall pandal. On the other hand, the 53rd edition of Narengi Birkuchi Sarbajannin Puja will present a traditional fervour to the devotees this year.

The 68th edition of Bishnupur Sarbajannin Puja will portray a 76-foot high pandal and will feature the India map. Contrary, the 43rd edition of Kharguli Sarbajannin Puja will entirely go traditional this year. The Sri Sri Dirgheswari Devalaya will also showcase a traditional pandal as well as idol this year.

It must be mentioned here that, a relatively larger devotees throng the pandals at Pandu near Maligaon every year. Hence, various committees building idols and pandals at Pandu are always forced to burden an extra care and risk to maintain the legacy. This year, the Jai Hind Club at Pandu will feature an idol of Lord Krishna playing divine flute in an ice cap while the 63rd edition of the American Colony Sarbajannin Puja will emphasize on the idol of Goddess Durga and the Rest Camp Kalibari Sarbajannin Puja will highlight the architect of south Indian temples.