Pandal
Fabricated structure
- 2 min read
- 3 chapters
Related on Lably
In Hinduism
In Hinduism, a pandal is a temporary structure set up to usually venerate the god and goddess such as Ganesha during Ganesh Chaturthi, Krishna during Krishna Janmasthami or the Goddess Durga during Durga Puja, known as puja pandal. Pandals are also used for nonreligious activities. For instance, these tents are put up during cultural programs.
Pandals may be modelled after the structure of temples, huts, or skyscrapers.
Sign in to keep reading
2 more chapters are free with a Lably account.
In Buddhism in Sri Lanka
In a ritual unique to Sri Lanka, Vesak thorana pandals are set up during the Vesak festival, with illuminated panels illustrated with episodes from the life of the Gautama Buddha and Jathaka Katha or stories based on Buddhist culture.
The fundamental concept of a Vesak Pandal is a creatively made, massive structure, decorated with a large number of lights and paintings mounted on a huge supporting structure. This supporting structure is traditionally built with Puwak Gasa (Areca nut trees). Creating the structure requires creativity, inventiveness and the high-level expertise of a number of artists and light-system electricians, not to mention funding and planning in advance. The goal is to create a very beautiful and colorful experience. Many different and dedicated groups of experts participating often pass down this work from generation to generation or master to student. With change of time, nowadays pandals are constructed using scaffolding, which does not require cutting down of Puwak trees as a result. The most significant part of this display uses simple techniques in an intelligent way to create lighting on the front of the pandal. Most of the time this is a 2D structure.
Other types of pandals
Pandals are also set up during Gammaduwa (village rebirth) festivals, honouring the goddess Pattini.
Pandal also refers to a platform from which people splash water during the new year celebrations of the Thingyan festival.
A pandal can also be a ceremonial gate, built to welcome visitors.
A city in the Nilgiris district of the state of Tamil Nadu is named Pandalur.
In Bangladesh, pandals, traditionally known as shamiana, are used in open field, outside mosques or Eidgahs for Eid prayer, mehfils for Religious and Cultural occasions such as Milad, Mezban and weddings. Each year the national Eidgah's entrance is decorated in a new theme.