PANDALS IN THE SHAPE OF KEDARNATH AND A DAMRU BECOME ACENTRE OF ATTRACTION IN SHAHPUR

PANDALS IN THE SHAPE OF KEDARNATH AND A DAMRU BECOME ACENTRE OF ATTRACTION IN SHAHPUR

30-SEP-ENG 6

RAJIV NAYAN AGRAWAL

ARA---------------------------The Durga Puja pandals and idols constructed this year in various wards of the Shahpur Nagar Panchayat are not only a display of religious faith, but also a clear testament to local community activism and artistic creativity. The pandal modeled after the Kedarnath temple on Banahi Road and the pandal in the shape of Lord Shiva's damru, created by volunteers in the Purani Bazaar, have become a center of attraction for devotees.

The divine form of the Mother Goddess, especially in the Titanic ship-shaped pandal in Purani Bazaar, is a highly impressive experience for devotees, and is being greatly appreciated. As soon as the doors of the puja pandals opened, hundreds of devotees thronged to see the magnificent and divine forms of Goddess Durga and other deities, filling the area with devotion. The surrounding sound of bhajans and kirtans and the musical atmosphere further enhanced the religious celebration.

In nearby villages like Sahajouli and Bilauti, the artificial decorations of Goddess Durga and other deities, and the Ram Mandir-like pandal in Bariswan, impressed the general public. With the committee paying special attention to the construction, appearance, and decoration of the idols, these pandals evoked both admiration and devotion among the onlookers. In rural areas like Kundeshwar, Bankat, Suhiya, Sonki, Devmalpur, and Karanampur, the pandals continued to attract large numbers of visitors, especially as the afternoon cooled down. This continued until late at night.