Dhubri: A replica of a Swaminarayan temple has turned Tamarhat’s Durga Puja pandal into a major Saptami attraction, drawing lakhs of visitors from Assam and West Bengal.The Tamarhat Sarbajanin Sri Sri Durga Puja Committee is celebrating the festival’s 108th consecutive year. The replica, installed at Tinkori Mitra Higher Secondary School because of space constraints at the newly built temple premises, is the centrepiece of the celebrations. Religious ceremonies are being held at the permanent temple.Visitors from Bongaigaon, Kokrajhar, Chirang, Cooch Behar and Alipurduar have been visiting the pandal. Decorations and lighting created with the help of artisans from Chandan Nagar and Nabadwip in West Bengal are part of an estimated expenditure of Rs 1.5 crore.Committee president Sajal Kumar Singha said the replica was inspired by Swaminarayan temple architecture and had drawn visitors from far and wide.Committee secretary Bethun Saha said rituals were being held at the main temple, where bhog was served to devotees. The committee had initially estimated the expenditure at Rs 1 crore, but the final amount could be higher. The arrangements include decorations, lighting, cultural programmes and other activities.Artists from Assam and West Bengal, including Kolkata and Jalpaiguri, are scheduled to perform. Security has been strengthened following a stampede at a Durga Puja pandal in Chorbagan, Kolkata, on Saturday.The festival has evolved into a major social and cultural gathering, attracting visitors from western Assam and North Bengal.
