MP celebrates Navratri with grand pandals:Bhopal hosts state’s largest Jagannath Temple tableau​​​​​​​; 25-acre pandal with replica of 12 Jyotirlingas draws devotees to Indore

Madhya Pradesh is witnessing vibrant Navratri celebrations as devotees immerse themselves in fasting, garba, and devotional rituals. Alongside cultural events, people are flocking to view elaborate tableaux and pandals depicting various forms of Mata. This year, several prominent pandals across the state have drawn attention for their scale, design, and traditions. Daily Bhaskar takes a closer look at four major tableaux-pandals in Bhopal, Indore, Ujjain, and Gwalior. Life-size tableau of Jagannath Puri Temple in Bhopal In Bhopal, the largest tableau of the state has been set up at Bittan Market, recreating the grandeur of Jagannath Puri Temple. According to Hariom Khatik, coordinator of the Durga Utsav Committee, the tableau was prepared entirely in the architectural style of Puri’s Jagannath Temple. Including the Sudarshan Chakra, the structure stands 111 feet tall and covers approximately 30,000 square feet. The construction involved 62 artisans from Kolkata who worked 18-hour shifts over 90 days using wood, bamboo, cloth, thermocol, fevicol, and colors. Idols of Mata, Hanuman Ji, and other deities were crafted locally, while the idol of Lord Jagannath Swami was brought from Puri. Worship rituals in the tableau follow the same traditions as Jagannath Dham, with seven Brahmins specially called from Puri to perform the ceremonies. Devotees can experience darshan of Lord Jagannath and other deities in a setting that closely replicates the original temple. Indore’s 25-acre pandal with replicas of 12 Jyotirlinga Indore has set up one of the state’s largest pandals this Navratri, spanning 25 acres and featuring replicas of the 12 Jyotirlingas. Over 550 artisans and experts worked for three months to complete the setup. The pandal includes 11,000 gold-plated Ashtalakshmi Kalash, which will be consecrated with one crore mantra chants, one crore kumkum offerings, and 10 lakh fire oblations. Each kalash contains items considered divine, including right-turning conch shells, nine gems, 32 types of semi-precious stones, 32 types of precious stones, two rare rudraksha beads, a 5-gram silver coin of 999 purity bearing Mahalakshmi’s image, panch dhatu (gold, silver, copper, brass, bronze), 154 types of rare medicines, and 451 total materials per kalash. The extensive decoration and meticulous arrangements within the pandal have attracted thousands of devotees. Ujjain’s cave-themed Garba Pandal In Ujjain, a 50,000-square-foot Garba pandal has been constructed at the Social Justice Complex on Agar Road, organised by MP Anil Firojia in memory of his father. The BFF Garba pandal features a 300-foot-long cave modeled on Vaishno Devi, where idols of Vaishno Mata and the Navdurga were installed. The cave was built in 15 days by 20 workers using special materials, with additional contributions from artists from Jabalpur. The pandal offers devotees the opportunity to experience darshan of the goddess in a setting similar to Vaishno Devi, catering especially to those unable to travel there. Committee member Puneet Jain stated that the pandal also provides free fasting khichdi and energy drinks daily. For security, 40 bouncers along with female guards and cleaning staff have been deployed to ensure the safety of young women attending the events. Large ‘Maa Kali Pandal’ with seating for 250 devotees in Gwalior In Gwalior, a 5000-square-foot pandal has been set up in Khatik Mohalla, Murar, featuring a 9-foot-tall idol of Mother Kali. The stage measures 30×30 feet, and the pandal can accommodate 200 to 250 devotees at a time. Deepak Danda, president of the Jai Maa Kali Khatik Utsav Committee, said the event has been held continuously for seven years. During Navratri, the pandal hosts garba, dandiya, and matki-breaking competitions, along with a grand feast on Navami. Unlike most places where idols are immersed on Navami, the immersion of Maa Kali’s idol is conducted on Dussehra, after which the neighborhood empties. Devotees continue to visit the pandal for darshan and participate in cultural celebrations, maintaining the festive spirit throughout the period. ​