With the arrival of Sharad Navratri and the worship of Goddess Durga, the entire nation is consumed by devotion. In Ranchi, the capital of Jharkhand, elaborate Durga Puja pandals, each unique in theme, are being constructed. Ranchi holds a distinct position in the country, known for its grand and impressive Durga Puja celebrations. The Bharatiya Yuvak Sangh in Bakri Bazar, Ranchi, has built a magnificent Durga Puja pandal inspired by the world-renowned Angkor Wat temple in Cambodia.
Numerous grand puja pandals have been erected in various parts of Ranchi. The Panch Mandir Durga Puja Samiti in Harmu has created a replica of the Prem Mandir of Vrindavan. Meanwhile, the puja committee at Ratu Road in Ranchi has constructed a Durga Puja pandal that resembles the church of Vatican City in Rome, Italy, which has become controversial before its opening.
Why the controversy surrounding the pandal?
The Durga Puja pandal in Ranchi is modeled after the church in Vatican City, Rome, Italy. This has prompted objections from the National Spokesperson of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), Vinod Bansal, who expressed his concerns on the social media platform X. The post included videos of the pandal’s exterior and interior, criticizing the alleged manipulation of Hindus’ faith, beliefs, and religious sentiments. Bansal asserted that the Durga Puja pandal, under the leadership of JMM leader Vicky Yadav, has transformed into a location for religious conversion, with the RR Sporting Club of Ratu Road, Ranchi, replicating the entire Vatican City for the installation of the Durga idol.
VHP leader’s objections
The interior and exterior of the pandal are constructed to replicate the church in Vatican City, a religious center for Christians in Rome, Italy. The pandal features pictures of Catholic religious leaders, along with depictions of people holding crosses on its exterior, a symbol of the Christian faith. These aspects have generated controversy. Vinod Bansal, the VHP’s national spokesperson, posted a video of the Durga Puja pandal on social media, designed to resemble a church, to express his disapproval.
The cost of construction: 70 lakh rupees
The RR Sporting Club of Ratu Road, Ranchi, has spent roughly 70 lakh rupees on the construction of the Durga Puja pandal, styled after the church in Vatican City, Rome, Italy. The pandal has become a source of dispute even before it is opened to devotees.
In response to the controversy surrounding the design, the RR Durga Puja Samiti has removed the elements that Hindu organizations found objectionable, aiming to prevent any offense to the sentiments of devotees visiting during Durga Puja.