Palasuni scores with biggest tableau, eco-friendly pandal

BHUBANESWAR: The Palasuni Durga Puja Committee is continuing with its tradition of making the biggest tableaux in the city, which they have placed inside an eco-friendly pandal made up of dry fruit shells collected from the tribal-dominated districts of the state. The 22-feet tall tableau or medha as it is called has been given its shape by a group of craftsmen from Cuttack, who have worked tirelessly since the past month.

The idol similarly is also one of the tallest in the city and has been made again by the master craftsmen from Cuttack. In response to the call to make the puja plastic-free, the organisers used dry fruit shells to create an eco-friendly pandal. The art on the gate as well as in the interior have been made out of the shells of nearly eight to nine varieties of dry fruits. A group of 25 artisans from West Bengal has worked effortlessly to turn the idea into reality.

The structures are now almost complete. For the theme of the pandal, the organisers have chosen the Mahalaxmi Temple of Ratlam, Madhya Pradesh. “We wanted to make our pandal free of plastic this time for which the idea of dry fruit was proposed and brought to reality,” said joint secretary Smaran Lenka. The Durga Puja at Palasuni holds another unique tradition, which is its connection with the Narayani Pitha of Balugaon, Khurda.

“Every year, the ‘aagyan maala’ of Maa Narayani falls from her neck during this time of the year after which it is brought here and garlanded on the idol of goddess Durga. Upon acceptance, the puja starts on Sasthi,” Lenka said. Safety and security of the devotees are the other aspects the organisers have shifted their focus to. Since the mandap is located right next to the busy National Highway 16, the organisers have deputed 60 volunteers to keep an eye on the revellers.