Arya Nagar Puja pandal in Scottish cottage form

Kanpur: As many as 30 Bengali workers are busy in making pandals in the form of a Scottish cottage of 1930s with blends of a Bengali zamindar house. It is coming up at Bal Nikunj ground in Arya Nagar, where the expected footfall is one lakhs in four days of Durga Puja festivities.
The organisers of Arya Nagar Durga Puja Committee change the look of pandals each year.The uniqueness of pandal attracts huge crowd. The place also becomes a perfect destination for foodies. Apart from pani-poori and bhelpuri, Bengali dishes are also available for food lovers.
Sanjay Mitra, general secretary, Central Sarbojanin Durga Puja Committee said that it will be celebrating 73rd year of festivities. "With the blessings of Maa Durga, we are able to plan and design the pandals on different themes. This year, the pandal is on the theme of a European structure with a blend of an old Bengali zamindar’s house. A total of 30 men are working to construct the pandal,” he said.
At present, more than 25 feet high structure made of bamboos had been constructed. Fancy lights will be installed. Large 'Jhumars' and others decorative items are yet to be placed in this pandal. The entire pandal will be covered with fawn cloth to give it an impressive look. A gate at the entrance of the pandal is also being made. On one side of the ground, food stalls are coming up, while on the other side, stage is being set where Bengali plays and skits will be staged. Also, Bengali dance competition for kids and singing competition will be held. Youngsters will be given a chance to perform before the crowd. Mitra said that the purpose of holding Bengali songs and dance programmes is to keep the tradition alive among the younger generation. He said that Bangla groups will perform plays and skits on different days.
The four days festivities will remain a grand affair and from beating of 'dhaks' to dancing with 'dhonochis' during special 'aartis' will remain a centre of attraction for the people. Also 'Pushpanjali' where women and children offer flowers and 'Bel Patra' to goddess has remains an attraction for everyone present around.
Durga Puja is inseparable from 'dhakis' or drummers, whose reverberating, mesmerizing beats make the festival all the more joyous.
"We have called Dhakis especially from West Bengal. When Dhak is played, Maa Durga is offered 'Bhog'. The Bhog offered to goddess during the night time is known as 'Shetol Bhog'. During the time of special Aarti such as 'Sandhya Aarti', 'Aasthmi Puja' and 'Dashami Puja', Dhaks are played and Dhonochi dance is performed by the people of Bengali community," Mitra said while talking about the importance of Dhak in Durga puja festivities.