Guwahati: A Shiva Lingam set inside a palette drum will be the centrepiece of Tokobari Barowari Durga Puja’s themed pandal this year.The concept is the committee’s interpretation of religious symbolism through festive decoration.Artists from Dhupguri in West Bengal’s Jalpaiguri district presented the committee with several designs, including a Shiva Lingam and South Indian temples dedicated to different deities. After reviewing the proposals, the committee selected the Lingam theme and hired the artists to execute it. The artists have continued working despite heavy rain to bring their vision to life.“The total budget allocated for this year’s puja is between Rs 24 lakh and Rs 26 lakh. The artists are also working on the lighting arrangements, and we expect the work to be completed by the 14th of this month. We are expecting the pandal’s unveiling on the fifth or sixth day of the festival,” said Prashanta Kalita, general secretary of the committee.The structure will be 40–45 feet high, while the idol will measure 16–17 feet. Artists from Pandu have been hired to craft the idol.“With the Puja attracting large crowds to pandals across the city, we have increasingly focused on distinctive themes and elaborate installations to draw visitors. Our choice of incorporating the Lingam into its themed structure is expected to add dimensions of different kinds to revellers’ pandal viewing experience,” he added.Apart from the usual festivities and cultural programmes, the committee has also planned to distribute bhog among devotees and visitors as part of its social service initiatives. The initiative aims to promote a sense of community and togetherness.
