Lucknow: This year, the Durga Puja celebrations at Model House Park in Lucknow are set to dazzle visitors with a unique combination of art and architecture. The Mitro Sangho Puja committee, celebrating their 50th year, is preparing a grand pandal inspired by St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City, where a 15-foot-tall monolithic idol of Goddess Durga, carved in the style of Ajanta sculptures, will be worshipped.
The Puja, which began in 1975, was started by A.K. Singh, Chandan Bose, and friends. As the years passed and some members relocated or passed away, the responsibility of continuing the tradition now lies with V.K. Tiwari and his son, Nitesh Tiwari. For this milestone year, the committee has gone all out to make the celebrations unforgettable.
The pandal, modeled after the iconic Vatican structure, is an eye-catching fusion of Western architectural elegance and traditional Puja decorations, creating a visually stunning experience for devotees and visitors alike.
The organizers have meticulously recreated the intricate details of St. Peter’s Basilica, including its majestic dome, towering columns, and the impressive façade, while infusing it with elements that resonate with Durga Puja’s spiritual themes. The use of vibrant lighting, murals depicting the goddess Durga, and elaborate floral arrangements add an Indian touch to the Romanesque structure, blending two worlds in a harmonious display of art and devotion.
This unusual choice of theme has generated immense curiosity and excitement, attracting large crowds to witness the magnificent interpretation of the Vatican’s spiritual grandeur in the context of Durga worship. The pandal symbolizes a cultural bridge, showing how global architectural marvels can be reimagined to celebrate India’s deeply rooted traditions.
The St. Peter’s Basilica-inspired pandal stands as a testament to creativity, highlighting how Durga Puja can serve as a canvas for exploring unique artistic expressions while maintaining the festival’s essence of devotion and celebration.
Nitesh Tiwari shared that the golden jubilee theme inspired the golden color of the idol. “The idol has been crafted by skilled artisans from Bengal, and unlike the usual practice of using artificial jewelry, the ornaments adorning the goddess are made entirely of clay,” he explained.
The true showstopper, however, is the pandal itself. Drawing inspiration from St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City, the towering 70-foot structure will resemble the iconic church while maintaining the spiritual essence of Durga Puja. “We have previously modeled our pandals after Ram and Meenakshi temples. This year, we wanted to promote the idea that God is one by incorporating elements from St. Peter’s Basilica,” Tiwari said.
The construction of the massive pandal involves the use of 2,000 bamboos, 2,000 meters of fabric, a quintal of nails, 100 wooden batons, 2,000 sheets of thermocol, and 120 liters of paint. The structure, being assembled by 14 workers from Midnapore, is estimated to cost around ₹20 lakh. These artisans have been working around the clock for nearly a month to ensure that the pandal and idol are completed on time.
In addition to the stunning visuals, the festivities will feature two dhaks (traditional drums), as well as a dhol and kasa player, adding rhythmic energy to the celebrations.
The Puja began on October 9, starting with Durgashashthi, while the highly anticipated Sandhi Puja took place on October 11 between 6:24 a.m. and 7:12 a.m. Mahabhog will be served on October 12 at 1 p.m., followed by the immersion (Visarjan) of the idol on October 13 around 1 p.m.
The Mitro Sangho Puja committee is expecting a large turnout this year as the unique design and monumental efforts have already garnered significant attention from the city’s residents.
With inputs from HT
