City’s iconic Durga Puja pandal will transport you to Kumbh’s spiritual aura | Lucknow News

Lucknow: This Durga Puja, you can relive the spiritual splendor of the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj.Months after the world’s biggest religious congregation, an iconic Durga Puja pandal of Latouche Road Puja Sangsad Society is set to bring the Kumbh Mela experience to life, transporting visitors to the sacred grounds, vibrant tents, and revered akharas.As Pitra Paksh enters its final lap and Matri Paksha, the sacred period dedicated to the Goddess beckons, the city’s Durga Puja pandals are abuzz with activity, with hammer and chisel giving shape to devotion and spectacle.At the heart of this festive rush stands the Latouche Road Puja Sangsad Society, gearing up for its 84th Durga Puja celebrations from Sept 28 to Oct 2 at Jogendra Pathak Road, Shivaji Marg. One of Lucknow’s most iconic pujas since 1942, it draws devotees from Aminabad to Hussain Ganj, from Latouche Road to Naka, binding the city in a shared festive spirit.“This year, our pandal pays tribute to the Kumbh Mela of Prayagraj, a Unesco-recognised intangible cultural heritage,” said president Sanjay Banerjee. “Artisans from West Bengal are working day and night to recreate the grandeur of the world’s largest spiritual congregation.”Unlike last year’s much-admired Ayodhya Ram Lila theme, this time the focus shifts to the Akhara tradition that forms the spiritual backbone of the Kumbh’s shahi snan.The pandal will showcase portraits of the 13 major Akharas — from Juna Akhara and Niranjani Akhara to Udasin Panchayati Bada Akhara — alongside depictions of their maths and revered Mahamandaleshwars.A sprawling backdrop of the entire Prayagraj Kumbh Mela grounds will dominate the pandal, while details of the Akharas’ three-tier hierarchy — Acharya Mahamandaleshwar, Mahamandaleshwar, and Shrimahant — will be highlighted to inform visitors of this deep-rooted tradition.“The idea is to express gratitude to the saints, Akharas, administration, and ordinary people who make the Kumbh possible,” said general secretary Sanjay Ghosh, adding that an estimated 15,000–20,000 visitors daily are expected. Treasurer Siddharth Sanyal noted that the five-day festivities will blend rituals, cultural programmes, and social gatherings, making it much more than a religious observance.The theme has been conceptualised by Sri Niloy Sen, who is overseeing the pandal’s intricate decorations.Our Puja committee is among the few that organise community “bhog” distribution on all three days. Chochori, porer bhaja, and chaler payesh are the highlights of these festive meals.On Shashti, devotees will be treated to a dance drama based on Mahishasuramardini. Navami night will sparkle with a lively Dandiya celebration, bringing together people of all ages. On Dashami, the traditional Sindoor Khela will be observed in a grand manner, with enthusiastic participation from numerous members of the Puja community.