Patna: An 80-ft-tall recreation of Madhya Pradesh’s Khajuraho temple, adorned with handcrafted decorations made from ‘hogla’ leaves sourced from Bengal, is drawing visitors to the Dak Bungalow Chauraha Durga Puja pandal this year. One of Patna’s biggest Durga Puja attractions, the pandal of Navyuvak Sangh Shri Durga Puja Samiti Trust on Dak Bungalow Road is celebrating its 63rd year.The 55-ft-wide structure was planned nearly six months in advance and transported from Kolkata in eight trucks. Its intricate decorations were created by 18 artisans led by Bappa Barik from Medinipur in West Bengal. Barik said around 25 women worked on the handcrafted elements for five to six months, earning Rs 600 a day.The designs, conceived by Kolkata Art College, use ‘hogla patta’, leaves processed and shaped into decorative elements. Barik said the leaves are first dried, varnished and cut into different shapes before being assembled into the final designs.Committee treasurer Amit Kumar Barua said the centrepiece is a 21-ft idol of Goddess Durga in her ‘Ashirwaadi’ form, adorned with gold ornaments. The idol was crafted by Jagannath Pal, an artisan from West Bengal who has been making idols in Patna for more than three decades. The traditional chalchitra, once plain, is now sculpted to match the deity’s theme.Lighting is another major attraction after dusk. Bhola Electronics of Chandannagar, West Bengal, has illuminated the pandal and its surroundings with an estimated six to seven lakh tiny lamps. Displays include a recreation of the Jagannath Puri temple, a peacock-shaped gate, a mechanical Shiv temple where water appears to fall on the Shivling, and depictions of Lord Shiva playing the ‘damru’ and Lord Krishna playing the flute. A rotating backdrop showcases Vishwakarma, while a 16-ft ghost is expected to appeal to children.Barua said the puja’s estimated budget is around Rs 45 lakh. Committee president Sanjeev Prasad Tony said ‘bhog’ offerings would be made throughout the festival, with ‘ghee halwa’ after the evening aarti from 7pm on Saptami, followed by ‘kheer’ on Ashtami and ‘khichdi’ on Navami.Organisers expect 30-40 lakh visitors. CCTV cameras along Dak Bungalow to Kotwali and four LED screens have been installed to manage crowds and provide a live telecast.
