Patna devotees come up with a prayer hall made from coconut husk

Patna, Oct 8 : Devotees are thronging a unique 'puja pandal' made from coconut husk during the five-day-long 'Durga Puja' festival in Patna.

The pandal is 70-80 feet high and is a replica of the famous Mahabodhi Temple of Gaya, where Lord Buddha is said to have attained Mahanirvana (salvation).

Artisans took a month to put together ten quintals of coconut husk to make the prayer hall.

"We have stitched it in order to keep it in shape. It took us one month's time and nine people were involved in making the pandal. At least nine to ten quintals of coconut husk, 600-700 bamboos and 30 rolls of rope were used," said Ranjit Kumar Goswami, an artisan.

The organisers said that they wanted to create a unique prayer hall that was different from others.

"Around 100 thousands rupees have been spent. It has been made with an attempt of doing something unique in Patna," said Shrawan Kumar, an organiser.

It drew effusive praise from the devotees who made a beeline to the prayer hall.

"This pandal has been made with coconuts and is really beautiful. It is quite unique. Never before have we seen anything like it," said Anupriya Agarwal, a devotee.

Devotees felt that the making the pandal with coconuts adds more significance to it since the coconut is considered sacred by Hindus.

"Coconut has been considered auspicious since ages in our country and it holds a special significance in our rituals. This pandal reminds one of the temples of the earlier times, which were made from gold. The entire pandal appears to be made from gold," said Satish Sharma, another devotee. By Ajay Kumar

ANI