In modern times, festival trends have changed with devotees in Nagpur in sync with changing times. As they loosen their purses to prop up decor, for citizens the Navratri offers a glimpse into eye catching lighting set-up that is weld into beautifully crafted pandals modelled on famous temples of India. The elaborate themes and devotional settings are definitely a must visit to savour in devotion and admire the craft. Abhyankar Nagar pandal has been built as a traditional stone temple with carved pillars, floral motifs, and illuminated reliefs. At Ajni, devotees walk through a long lighted tunnel leading to a palace-style facade and a sanctum glowing with clusters of blue fairy lights. Deo Nagar’s Navdurga Utsav Mandal has created a style structure with high arches, latticework, floral decorations, and a tableau of Durga with Lakshmi and Saraswati. 

 

 

The Abhyankar Nagar pandal resembles a stone temple. Its facade has tall carved pillars with floral and geometric motifs, ornamental niches, and an archway decorated with yellow and orange marigolds. Earthy-toned walls are lit with angled spotlights, while triangular pediments above the entrance glow with latticework under concealed lighting. The inner hall, carpeted in red, features decorative walls shaped like temple shikharas fitted with golden panels. The ceiling is stretched with printed cloth squares, from which hang artificial flowers, bells, and tassels. At the centre, Maa Durga is installed on a high platform, dressed in a red silk saree with gold borders, adorned with layered garlands of marigold, roses, and chrysanthemums. A jeweled crown shines on her head, her painted face bears expressive eyes and vermillion, and her lion idol stands with bared teeth. She holds trident, sword, discus, and conch, with offerings of fruits, coconuts, and sweets stacked at her feet. Evenings resound with brass bells, Durga Bhagwat, and dhols.

 

 

 

 

The Ajni pandal begins with a tunnel of steel arches wrapped in bulb-strings shaped into stars, flowers, and circles. Blue and white lights create a canopy like constellations, with glowing strips along the pathway edges, evoking the sense of walking through stars. At the end stands the facade, ivory-white like a palace or temple gateway, with red curtains and garlands of roses and marigolds. Inside, sculpted elephants flank a wide passage leading to the sanctum, where the ceiling is strung with dense blue fairy lights forming a sky of stars. Durga’s idol, placed on a red velvet platform, wears a crimson saree and garlands of jasmine, roses, and marigold. A golden crown fitted with mirrors sparkles under the lights. Her lion, roaring and painted golden yellow, complements her gleaming metallic weapons—trident under a spotlight and discus suspended in motion. The sanctum floor holds brass plates with fruits, coconuts, betel leaves, incense, and camphor. Crowds move slowly through, folding hands and offering flowers.