Pandal
A pandal is a temporary fabricated structure or canopy used across South Asia, particularly in India and neighbouring countries, to host religious, cultural, and social gatherings.[1][2][3] Set up in open public spaces, along roadways, or adjacent to residences, pandals are commonly erected for events such as festivals, weddings, fairs, and exhibitions. They may also serve as decorative ceremonial gates constructed to welcome visitors.
Etymology
[edit]According to the Oxford English Dictionary, pandal is derived from the Tamil word pantal.[4]
Significance
[edit]Hinduism
[edit]
In Hinduism, pandals are set up to venerate deities during festivals such as Ganesha during Ganesh Chaturthi, Krishna during Krishna Janmasthami or Durga during Durga Puja, known as puja pandal.[clarification needed these are only 2 examples]
Pandals may be modelled after the structure of temples, huts, or skyscrapers.[5]
Buddhism
[edit]In a ritual unique to Sri Lanka, Vesak pandals are set up during the Vesak festival,[6] 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).
Pandals are also set up during Gammaduwa (village rebirth) festivals, honouring the goddess Pattini.[clarification needed Is this also only in Sri Lanka, only elsewhere, or both?]
Pandal also refers to a platform from which people splash water during the new year celebrations of the Thingyan festival.[7]
Islam
[edit]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.[8]
References
[edit]- ↑ Palanithurai, Ganapathy (2007). A Handbook for Panchayati Raj Administration (Tamil Nadu). Concept Publishing Company. p. 229. ISBN 978-81-8069-340-3.
- ↑ Rao, N. Sudhakar (2002). Ethnography of a Nomadic Tribe: A Study of Yanadi. Concept Publishing Company. p. 106. ISBN 978-81-7022-931-5.
- ↑ Saccidānandan (2006). Authors Speak. Sahitya Akademi. p. 151. ISBN 978-81-260-1945-8.
- ↑ "pandal, n.", Oxford English Dictionary (3 ed.), Oxford University Press, 2023-03-02, doi:10.1093/OED/7514107453, retrieved 2026-10-26
- ↑ McDaniel, June (2004-08-05). Offering Flowers, Feeding Skulls: Popular Goddess Worship in West Bengal. Oxford University Press. p. 223. ISBN 978-0-19-534713-5.
- ↑ Sri Lanka News, Volume 11. Washington, D.C.: Embassy of Sri Lanka. 2001. p. 7.
- ↑ Kyaw Zin Htun; Yadana Htun (24 March 2008). "Constructing a pandal for festival fun". Myanmar Times. Archived from the original on 9 April 2008. Retrieved 13 May 2012.
- ↑ "In Photos: National Eidgah ready to hold Eid jamaat".
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