Patna : Residents of Patna will get a London Bridge-inspired Durga Puja pandal this year, with Yarpur-Mithapur preparing a large themed structure featuring a moving vehicle display and a Ram-Ravan battle.
The pandal is being prepared by the Sri Sri Shiv Mandir Navayuvak Sangh Durga Puja Committee. Artisans from Madhupur in Jharkhand are working on the structure and are currently giving it its final touches.
The pandal will feature a grand idol of Goddess Durga, along with moving figures depicting Lord Ram, Ravan, Hanuman and other characters.
London Bridge Theme With Moving Vehicles
The London Bridge-inspired structure will be the central attraction at the Yarpur-Mithapur puja site.
A vehicle will appear to move across the top of the pandal, adding a mechanical element to the theme for visitors.
The Ram-Ravan battle will also be presented through moving figures created using special techniques.
Lighting and decorative arrangements around the pandal will be handled by a team brought in from Hajipur.
Yarpur To Goria Math To Be Lit Up
The road from Yarpur to Goria Math will be decorated with extensive lighting during the festival.
According to the puja committee, Durga Puja has been organised in the area since before Independence.
The scale of the celebrations has expanded over the past five to six years, with this year’s pandal, idol and festival arrangements expected to cost around Rs 12 lakh.
30-Foot Shivling Pandal In Jayaprakash Nagar
Another major attraction is being prepared at Jayaprakash Nagar, where a pandal based on a 30-foot-high Shivling is being constructed near the old sawmill.
The puja is being organised for the second time by the Sri Sri Shiv Mandir Durga Puja Committee Navayuvak Sangh Club.
The organisers have planned a predominantly white theme for the pandal, idol and lighting arrangements.
Goddess Durga Idol In Bengali Style
The Durga idol at Jayaprakash Nagar is being prepared in the Bengali style.
Local artist Abhishek Kumar is creating the idol, which will depict Goddess Durga defeating the demon.
Around Rs 5 lakh is expected to be spent on the puja arrangements at the site.
Over 10,000 Expected At Navami Bhandara
The Jayaprakash Nagar committee will organise a bhandara on Navami, with organisers expecting more than 10,000 devotees to attend.
Both puja venues will also distribute prasad during the festival. Khichdi will be served on Saptami, halwa and gram on Ashtami, and kheer on Navami.
Separate Queues And Crowd Management
After the idols are unveiled, prasad will be distributed among devotees each day.
Separate queues will be arranged for men and women to manage the movement of visitors inside the pandals.
Committee members will also be deployed to regulate crowds and assist devotees.
With themed structures, moving figures, lighting and elaborate idols, the Yarpur-Mithapur and Jayaprakash Nagar puja sites are expected to become notable attractions during Patna’s Durga Puja celebrations this year.
