From ‘Khaja’ In Bhog, Jagannath Rituals To Temple Replica: This Kolkata Puja Is Ode To Puri’s Srimandir

Kolkata: This Durga Puja, devotees will witness the spiritual grandeur of Puri’s Jagannath Temple at a south Kolkata pandal. Celebrating its 82th year, the club—Ekdalia Evergreen—has recreated Sri Mandir with plywood and fibre glass. The height of the pandal is 107ft and it houses a 27ft Durga idol.

What’s even more interesting is that the club will offer ‘bhog’ similar to the ‘mahaprasad’ of Srimandar to the goddess during the five days of Durga Puja. “We will offer Khaja, gaja, malpua, chappan bhog, kanika and all other items, which are a part of the Srimandir mahaprasad. We will try to keep the bhog as authentic as possible,” said the club’s general secretary, Sapan Mahapatra, who is a native of Odisha’s Bhadrak district. Mahapatra has been an active member of the club, which is located in the Ballygunge locality of Kolkata, since the past 40 years.

Mahapatra shared how the club has planned to follow the key rituals followed in the Jagannath temple in Puri at the pandal. “It is difficult to follow all the daily rituals of Lord Jagannath as it is performed in the Srimandir at a community puja. But, we will still follow some rituals of Srimandir. Both the goddess and Lord Jagannath will be worshipped at the pandal,” he explained.

The main idol of the goddess has been crafted by Padmashri artisan, Sanatan Rudra Pal. “You can see a connection with Lord Jagannath in the idol as well. The Chalchitra of the idol has images of Lord Jagannath,” he said, adding there is a great enthusiasm among Odia people living in Kolkata for this theme. It took around four to five months to build the pandal, for which artisans from Medinapore district were roped in. Around Rs 25 lakh was spent for erecting the pandal, claimed Mahapatra.

“Every year, we recreate some or the other temple from different Indian states. This year, we wanted to focus on Odisha. This puja theme will strengthen the bond between Odisha and Bengal. In every Odia household resides Lord Jagannath. Similary, Lord Jagannath is an emotion in Bengal. Puri is a mandatory destination for them to visit,” said Mahapatra.

Even the lighting at the pandal has some Odisha connect. The pandal has been adorned with light gates featuring the wildlife of Odisha and scenes from Bhubaneswar’s Nandankanan Zoo.

Las Vegas’ Nevada in Kolkata

The well-known pujo in Lebutala, Bowbazar (north Kolkata) is commemorating its 89th year with an extraordinary theme. This year, the club has replicated the iconic Sphere of Las Vegas, complete with special lighting and mesmerising effects. The Sphere, which is a prominent entertainment arena in Paradise, Nevada, has been brought to life.