Creativity at its best

SAMBALPUR: With colourful banners and deep discounts on offer to lure prospective customers, shops in the local market are abuzz with activity. The festive mood has gripped the town with finishing touches being given to the pandals here.The artisans are working overtime with organisers opting for creative and unique structures. The pandal at Budhraja-Fatak is a replica of a temple, made of stainless steel sheets and velvet cloth.Local artisan Hari Patel of Badabazar has been entrusted with the work and Rs 6.7-lakh estimate has been drawn up for the event.The Dhanupali Puja Committee is recreating the Mysore Palace using plaster of Paris and bangles. Poppy Decorator of Paradip is at the helm of affairs here.The estimated budget of the puja is around Rs 6.8 lakh. This apart, the committee has also contributed to the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund.The century-old Durga puja at Hatpada will witness local designer Bhisma Seth erecting a replica of an ice cave, of cotton, plaster of Paris and thermocol. The pandal at Daleipada will be a replica of the Hirakud Dam and would showcase the devastation caused by the recent flood, given shape by local artisan Bibek Beriha.Heavy crowd is also expected at Kalibadi where puja is performed in the traditional Bengali style and the Samaleswari Temple here.