PATNA: With Navaratra just around the corner, artisans are working day and night to erect pandals and welcome gates and make idols of Goddess Durga.
Apart from the local artists, many from West Bengal and Jharkhand have been working in Patna for the last one month. With 16 other people, Anup Ghuiyan has come all the way from Midnapore in West Bengal to work on the pandal being erected near Dakbungalow crossing by the Navyuvak Sangh Shri Durga Puja Samiti Trust. The 45-year-old starts at 7.30am every day, rests for two hours in the afternoon and continues to work till 2.30am.
“We will finish everything by October 2,” Anup told TOI on Saturday.
Navyuvak Sangh Shri Durga Puja Samiti’s treasurer and trustee Amit Kumar Barua said the pandal had been designed by Kolkata’s Ritesh Chatterjee.
30-year-old Uttam Pal and five other artisans from Nadia district in West Bengal have been working in the city for the New Student Club Committee for three weeks. The are erecting a pandal at Nand Gaon near J D Women’s College.
“We will give final touches to the idols in the next four days,” said Uttam.
A large number of pandals will come up in Bailey Road, Boring Road and Kadamkuan areas. Amarnath Akela, a member of Shri Shri Durga Puja Mahotsava-Khajekalan, said, “We have hired 10 artists to make the pandal and five for the idol. Only finishing touches are to be given. The entire work will be completed by October 4.”
Puja committee members thanked their neighbours, who “extend a helping hand” in getting pandals and idols ready. New Student Club Committee treasurer Santosh Kumar claimed, “We are likely to spend more than 6 lakh this year. We are thankful to our neighbours, who donate money and help us organize Durga Puja celebrations on a grand scale every time.”
Even roadside vendors have removed their stalls from areas where pandals are being erected. Ram Nath, runs puts a tea stall in Mandiri locality, said, “I have shifted my stall so that a pandal can be erected here.”
Boiled egg seller Mohammad Sajid has also shifted his stall temporarily from Bhanwar Pokhar to a new place. “How can non-vegetarian food be sold near a Durga Puja pandal?” he asked.
The nine-day Navaratra will begin with ‘kalash sthapana’ on September 29. Pandals will be thrown open for Patnaites on October 5.
Apart from the local artists, many from West Bengal and Jharkhand have been working in Patna for the last one month. With 16 other people, Anup Ghuiyan has come all the way from Midnapore in West Bengal to work on the pandal being erected near Dakbungalow crossing by the Navyuvak Sangh Shri Durga Puja Samiti Trust. The 45-year-old starts at 7.30am every day, rests for two hours in the afternoon and continues to work till 2.30am.
“We will finish everything by October 2,” Anup told TOI on Saturday.
Navyuvak Sangh Shri Durga Puja Samiti’s treasurer and trustee Amit Kumar Barua said the pandal had been designed by Kolkata’s Ritesh Chatterjee.
30-year-old Uttam Pal and five other artisans from Nadia district in West Bengal have been working in the city for the New Student Club Committee for three weeks. The are erecting a pandal at Nand Gaon near J D Women’s College.
“We will give final touches to the idols in the next four days,” said Uttam.
A large number of pandals will come up in Bailey Road, Boring Road and Kadamkuan areas. Amarnath Akela, a member of Shri Shri Durga Puja Mahotsava-Khajekalan, said, “We have hired 10 artists to make the pandal and five for the idol. Only finishing touches are to be given. The entire work will be completed by October 4.”
Puja committee members thanked their neighbours, who “extend a helping hand” in getting pandals and idols ready. New Student Club Committee treasurer Santosh Kumar claimed, “We are likely to spend more than 6 lakh this year. We are thankful to our neighbours, who donate money and help us organize Durga Puja celebrations on a grand scale every time.”
Even roadside vendors have removed their stalls from areas where pandals are being erected. Ram Nath, runs puts a tea stall in Mandiri locality, said, “I have shifted my stall so that a pandal can be erected here.”
Boiled egg seller Mohammad Sajid has also shifted his stall temporarily from Bhanwar Pokhar to a new place. “How can non-vegetarian food be sold near a Durga Puja pandal?” he asked.
The nine-day Navaratra will begin with ‘kalash sthapana’ on September 29. Pandals will be thrown open for Patnaites on October 5.
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