Stepping inside the Mecosabagh Sarvajanik Ganesh Utsav Mandal’s pandal this year, the first thing visitors will encounter is the Earth beneath their feet. The mandap has been designed as a journey through the ‘Panch Tattva’ -- Earth, Water, Fire, Air, and Ether. Each element will be represented through a different sensory experience. The 31-year-old mandal has built the installation around five Shivlings associated with the five elements: Ekambareswar representing Earth, Jambukeshwar representing Water, Arunachaleswar representing Fire, Srikalahastiswar representing Air, and Chidambareswar representing Ether. The organisers have created an immersive passage leading visitors through each element.

 

“The journey will begin inside a cavern-like structure surrounded by greenery, representing the Earth element. Visitors will then be led on a walk beneath a specially constructed water tank, creating the sensation of moving underwater. A dedicated chamber represents Fire through lighting and visual effects. For Air, a strong rush of wind will be artificially created. Finally, the surroundings become quieter and more softly lit as visitors enter the main pandal, where the ceiling represents ‘Akash’, or Ether,” explained Mayur Khanchandani, a mandal member.