Sonari West Durga Puja Samity celebrates 52nd year with 80-feet pandal inspired by Tirupati Balaji Temple

Jamshedpur: The Sonari West Durga Puja Samity, which is celebrating its 52nd year of Durgotsav, will showcase 80 feet tall pandal which will be a replica of the Tirupati Balaji Temple in South India. The Samity, which is under the Sonari Tarun Sangha has pegged its budget for this year at Rs 25 lakh.The idol of Goddess Durga has been crafted by artisans from Garia in Kolkata. Much like the pandal, the idols attract thousands of tourists to their pandals every year, including the Steel City and its adjoining areas, the organizers said. The footfall peaks on Navami.Besides its dazzling pandals and idols, musical performances, in which artists from Jamshedpur, Kolkata, Chandannagar and Mumbai perform every year, are also a huge hit among the pandal hoppers.“The puja was a low-key affair when it began in 1974 with the support of locals. But since then, it has grown in magnitude and grandeur,” Chandan Kumar Dutta, treasurer of the committee, said. Many of the club members who have settled abroad also take time off their busy scheduled and visit during the puja every year.Sindoor khela on Dashami is a great attraction here as hundreds of women from all age groups take part in it. Durga puja at the club will begin with ‘Bodhon’on Panchami after which the pandal will be opened for visitors. Devotees in large number take part in the Sandhi puja which is done in between Maha Astami and Maha Navami.