GUWAHATI, Sept 24 - From the mysterious palace inspired by dark fantasy film Arundhati to the jovial world of Chhota Bheem�s Dholakpur, the Durga Puja pandals in the city are getting decked up to mesmerise the spectators with their uniqueness. This time the city is hosting nearly 600 big and small pujas.
Be it an environment lover who prefers eco-friendly celebrations, or the diehard fans who love a glittering bonanza, the puja revelry this time will offer something to everyone.
Connecting faiths to spread harmony, Durga and her entourage would be housed in the replica of Sri Sirdi Sai Baba Temple of Sikkim in Geetanagar. The temple, a major tourist attraction in Namchi of Sikkim, has been replicated for the Geetanagar Sarbajanin Durga Puja Committee with bamboo and wood by artisans from Bilasipara.
The 16-foot high and 26-foot wide idols, prepared only with clay, will have no fabric or metals for the drapes or ornaments. The arrangements have been made with a budget of Rs 25 lakh.
An old tree with bats flying all around and a spooky grand old palace can cause a cool shudder trickling down one�s spine. However, it will add a dash of thrill to the revelry in the Shantipur Sluice Gate puja venue where the pandal is inspired by the Anushka Shetty and Sonu Sood-starrer Arundhati Ek Anokhi Kahani�s palace.
�With blue hues, the pandal designed by Krishna Das will be a treat for the eyes, especially during night time,� Jiten Medhi of the Puja Committee said. Floods that wreaked havoc in Assam just a couple of weeks back will also be portrayed in the pandal through electric projections. The organisers have fixed a budget of Rs 18 lakh for this time.
Kids� favourite Chhota Bheem with his entire team would welcome pandal hoppers to the Bhootnath Durga Puja, where Dholakpur, set up in the cartoon series Chhota Bheem has been replicated, which include King Indra Verma�s palace located on a hillock and Bheem�s companions like Chhutki, Raju, etc. Flying Hanuman and flying Durga are the added attractions for the young puja enthusiasts.
�The entire set-up has been made keeping the kids in mind. Even the main idols have been made in cartoon style,� Amit Dhirasaria, a member of the puja committee said. Special lighting arrangements are being done by technicians from Cooch Behar.
The light show in the Rest Camp Durga Puja is something one cannot afford to miss, claims Tapas Naha of the Rest Camp Kalibari Durga Puja Samiti. The grand light show, as claimed by the organisers, would be the first of its kind in Assam.
The visitors would walk through a 25-minute long light show to reach the mandap, which has been designed as a big royal boat. �Lighting experts from Diamond Harbour, Kolkata, have been arranged for the majestic show. Pandal interiors have also been decorated in aesthetic ways,� added Naha.
This apart, the city will host more than 70 eco-friendly pujas this time.
