Rudraksh carries 'save girl' message in Attarsuiya

Allahabad: Attarsuiya puja pandal stands out in the ongoing race of puja committees for a new and unique theme for pandals. The pandal has decided to propagate the ‘Beti bachao-Beti padhao’ ideology and has decorated the interiors and exteriors with Rudraksh seeds pasted in different designs.
The Attarsuiya pandal has always been on the watch list of denizens for its social message. Last year messages on Delhi rape case were displayed in the pandal. “So much is being said about female foeticide. We have to make the masses aware of the issue. This is where our pandal will be helpful in making the people aware through posters and banners,” said secretary of the barwari Satyajeet Paul. The banners, mostly in Hindi, would carry slogans highlighting the importance of saving the girl child and providing every girl an opportunity to study and select her career, he added.
The puja committee is also known for working with a frugal budget. Organisers refrain from roping in artists and craftsmen. Decoration, posters and banners are done by students and youths of the locality. “This is all about putting our efforts to decorate the pandal and our deity. Last year, it was Kalai-Nara (sacred thread) and this year it will be replaced by Rudraksh seeds which will be pasted on the designs,” said Deepanshi. First, the design is prepared on canvas and then Rudraksh’s of various sizes, are pasted with adhesive, explained her colleague Payal.
Even the main stage is quite attractive. The deity will have a yellow robe and so will the other idols, but here too the use of Rudraksh mala (necklace) is predominant. Interestingly, the ornaments of all idols on the main stage too would be made of Rudraksh seeds.
Similarly, the designs on side walls of the pandal and around the main stage would contain several designs made of Rudraksh. The design of Om, Swastika (auspicious symbol used in puja), peacock etc are all made by Rudraksh seeds, said Atul Vishkarama, one of the local artists mentoring the girls and other youths engaged in making the designs.