Prayagraj: In the historic lanes of Colonel Ganj, once part of old Allahabad, the Bengali community is preparing to unveil a unique spectacle for this year’s Durga Puja.
Known for preserving tradition for over 173 years, the Colonelganj Barwari Durga Puja Society is set to mark the occasion with a pandal shaped like a Shivalinga, blending the devotion of Goddess Durga with the reverence of Lord Shiva.
The pandal, designed to be 40 feet high, 90 feet long, and 60 feet wide, is being built at a park near the main gate of the Bharadwaj Corridor.
Work is scheduled to finish by September 24, turning the site into a major attraction for devotees and visitors alike.
Fifteen artisans from Kolkata, experts in crafting traditional puja structures, arrived in Prayagraj on August 19 to bring the ambitious concept to life.
Their craftsmanship will soon reveal a pandal that pays homage to the spirit of Lord Shiva, even as it hosts the rituals of Goddess Durga’s worship.
The theme was finalized three months ago in a meeting of society officials. President Shankar Chatterjee, secretary Devaraj Chatterjee, treasurer Pramod Chandra, and assistant secretary Rumpi collectively agreed that this year’s Puja should celebrate the divine essence of Lord Shiva alongside the Durga traditions.
Inside the pandal, a nine-foot idol of Goddess Durga will take center stage, accompanied by a colorful 12-foot backdrop.
The deities of Saraswati, Ganesha, Lakshmi, and Kartikeya will also be placed alongside her. Ornaments and weapons for the idols have been specially ordered from Kolkata to ensure authenticity and elegance.
Rituals will begin on the sixth lunar day (Shashthi) with the sacred pranapratishtha ceremony, followed by the recitation of Mahishasur Mardini and the chanting of the Chandi Path. From Shashthi to Dashami, continuous audio broadcasts of Shiva Stuti will echo inside the pandal.
Adding to the spiritual atmosphere, images of the twelve Jyotirlingas will also be displayed for devotees to view.
Cultural programmes have been lined up to complement the rituals. On Saptami, artists from Kolkata will present traditional dance performances, while on Navami, families associated with the society will stage a dance-drama adaptation of Aladdin.
The celebrations will conclude with the traditional Sindoor Utsav on Dashami, where married women smear each other with vermillion in a symbolic ritual of power, devotion, and community bonding.
Speaking about the event, society president Shankar Chatterjee said, “This year’s festival is dedicated to Lord Shiva. Every ritual, every performance, and every element of the pandal has been designed to reflect his divine presence.”
With nearly two centuries of uninterrupted celebration, the Colonelganj Barwari Durga Puja Society continues to weave together devotion, art, and culture, reaffirming its place as one of Prayagraj’s oldest and most revered traditions.
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