This Durga Puja, a grand ‘Baahubali’ pandal

LUCKNOW: The people of state capital will see the ten-armed Goddess Durga in royal splendour in a pandal inspired by the Bollywood blockbuster ‘Baahubali’. The pandal design includes the fictitious ‘Mahishmati palace’ shown in the movie along with a replica of the Chittorgarh Fort, synonymous with the legend of Rajput queen Padmavati.

To recreate this royal feast for the eyes of Lucknowites, ‘Sadbhavna Sanskritik Samiti’, Sahara States, Jankipuram, has used as much as 3.5 lakh metre cotton cloth, four quintals of iron nails, a quintal of pins and 650 litres of paint.

“This is the 19th year of Durga puja celebrations by this samiti,” said president Saurav Bandyopadhyay, adding, “We thought of doing something different this time.” “Baahubali was a smash hit. Bhansali’s ‘Padmavat’ was also a much talked about film. So, we decided to replicate the ‘Mahishmati palace’ in the main pandal, and also have people reminded of the grandeur of the Chittorgarh Fort.

The fort was a fond home for queen Padmini, also hailed as Padmavati -- the braveheart of Chittorgarh -- known for her incomparable beauty,” he said. He said artisans from West Bengal were working day and night to complete the task on time.

“Nearly 5,700 bamboos have been used. The Baahubali pandal is 100 feet wide, 90 feet high and 60 feet deep (length),” said Bandyopadhyay.

“Nando Dulal Barik and his twomember team from Krishnanagar in WB have made the Durga idol by toiling for 40 days,” said Bandyopadhyay.

The bamboo structure work is being done by Sanjay (goes by single name) of Midnapore in Bengal, he said.

Durga Puja will begin on October 3.