The festive spirit of Sharadiya Navratri is sweeping across India, with the city of Ranchi, Jharkhand, showcasing unique Durga Puja pandals. Among the many creative themes, a pandal in Ranchi is drawing attention for its design inspired by Vatican City. The Bharatiya Yuvak Sangh in Bakri Bazaar has erected a grand pandal replicating the famous Angkor Wat temple of Cambodia. Simultaneously, several other pandals are being constructed throughout the city. The Panch Mandir Durga Puja Samiti in Harmu has created a replica of Vrindavan’s Prem Mandir, while the Ratu Road puja committee is building a pandal modeled after the Vatican City church in Rome, Italy. This particular pandal, however, has stirred controversy before its inauguration.
Controversy Surrounding the Pandal
The Durga Puja pandal in Ranchi, inspired by the Vatican City church, has drawn criticism from the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP). National spokesperson Vinod Bansal shared a post on social media platform X, expressing his objections. The post included videos of the pandal’s exterior and interior, with a caption questioning how the government is allegedly manipulating the religious sentiments of Hindus. Bansal suggested that the pandal, led by JMM leader Vicky Yadav, has become a site for religious conversion, with the RR Sporting Club of Ratu Road essentially recreating Vatican City for the installation of the Durga idol.
VHP’s Concerns
The pandal’s design, which closely mirrors the Vatican City church in Rome, includes representations of Christian religious figures and symbols like the cross. The VHP’s objections, voiced by Vinod Bansal, highlight concerns over the pandal’s resemblance to a Christian religious structure. The video shared on social media showcases the Durga Puja pandal’s design, which has prompted the objections.
Financial Investment and Pandal Modifications
The RR Sporting Club in Ratu Road is investing approximately 70 lakh rupees in the construction of the Vatican City-themed pandal. In response to the controversy, the RR Durga Puja Samiti has decided to remove the elements of the pandal’s design that were objected to by Hindu organizations. This decision aims to prevent hurting the sentiments of the devotees during the Durga Puja celebrations.