On Sunday, the Saty Amar Lok Durga Puja Committee in Ranchi held a grand lucky draw ceremony, revealing the winners of its annual lottery that supports the city’s most anticipated cultural event — Durga Puja. Seven prize tiers, from first to seventh place, were announced alongside two consolation awards, drawing cheers from hundreds gathered under colorful lanterns at the committee’s sprawling pandal. The draw, which raised over ₹2.3 million for community celebrations, was presided over by committee chairperson Hemendra Singh, vice-chairperson Pradeep Rajgadiya, secretary Kamal Gupta, spokesperson Suresh Chandra Agrawal, and lottery coordinators Pawan Kedia and Gopal Bagla. The event wasn’t just about money — it was a ritual of faith, community, and shared anticipation.
Where the Devotion Lives: Ranchi’s Major Puja Pandals
This year, Ranchi’s Durga Puja season kicked off early — on the third day of the lunar month, known as Tritiya, allowing devotees to begin darshan a full week before the main festivities. The Saty Amar Lok Durga Puja Committee’s pandal, nestled beside Vishal Mega Mart on Kishorganj Road No. 1, has become a landmark. Its towering structure, adorned with hand-painted murals and LED-lit arches, draws crowds even before twilight. Nearby, the Geetanjali Club at Staff Quarters near Morhabadi Temple 9 has spent weeks crafting a 30-foot idol of the goddess, complete with silk drapes imported from Murshidabad. Meanwhile, the OCCI Club in Bangla School has transformed its grounds into a miniature Kolkata, complete with colonial-era facades and live sitar performances.
A Battle of Beauty: The Shrestho Durga Puja Contest
For the third consecutive year, Prabhat Khabar has launched its Shrestho Durga Puja competition, inviting residents to vote for their favorite pandal via WhatsApp at 9304954239. Over 12,000 votes were cast in the first 72 hours. “It’s not just about aesthetics,” says Anjali Sharma, a 68-year-old devotee who visits five pandals daily. “It’s about who pours their soul into it — the lights, the music, the way the goddess looks into your eyes.” The contest has reignited neighborhood pride. Pandals like 30 Saty Amar Lok and Shri Ram Lal Puja Samiti at the old Vidhan Sabha grounds have upped their game, installing solar-powered sound systems and hiring local artists for intricate claywork.
Behind the Scenes: Cleanliness, Coordination, and Community
What makes Ranchi’s Durga Puja stand out isn’t just the grandeur — it’s the quiet discipline. Every pandal, from the largest to the smallest, follows a strict cleaning schedule. Waste segregation bins line the pathways, and volunteers in orange vests collect trash hourly. “We don’t want this to be a one-week spectacle,” says Rajesh Mehta, a sanitation coordinator for Geetanjali Club. “We want it to be remembered for its respect — for the goddess, for the city, for each other.” The city’s municipal corporation has partnered with five major committees to ensure water supply, security, and medical aid are available around the clock. Emergency tents, staffed by trained nurses, are stationed near every major pandal.
From 2019 to Now: A Festival That Grew
The roots of Ranchi’s modern Durga Puja surge from 2019, when a YouTube video by BharatDarshan showcasing the city’s pandals went viral, amassing over 36,000 views. That video didn’t just document a festival — it ignited a cultural awakening. Since then, participation has tripled. Local businesses now sponsor idols. Schools close for the week. Even non-Hindu families decorate their homes with diyas and join processions. “It’s no longer just a religious event,” observes Dr. Nita Mukherjee, a cultural anthropologist at Ranchi University. “It’s become the city’s most unifying social fabric — a rare space where class, caste, and creed dissolve into collective awe.”
What’s Next? The Final Days Await
As the final week approaches, all eyes turn to the grand immersion on Vijaya Dashami. The Saty Amar Lok Durga Puja Committee plans a 10-kilometer procession with 200 musicians and 500 volunteers. Meanwhile, the lottery winners — including a 72-year-old retired teacher who won second prize — will be invited to lead the final aarti. “I didn’t win for the money,” said winner Sunita Devi, wiping tears. “I won because I believed. And now, I get to honor her.”
Frequently Asked Questions
How were the lucky draw winners selected?
Winners were selected through a live, transparent draw using a computerized random number generator, witnessed by committee members, local police, and three independent observers. Each ticket was uniquely numbered and verified against a digital registry. The top prize, ₹500,000, went to a ticket purchased at the committee’s office on Kishorganj Road.
Why did the puja pandals open on Tritiya this year?
The early opening on Tritiya allows devotees to begin darshan before the main rituals, accommodating working families and elderly visitors who can’t travel during peak days. It also spreads footfall across the festival period, reducing congestion. This practice, inspired by Kolkata’s traditions, was first adopted in Ranchi in 2021 and has since become standard.
How can I vote for the best pandal in the Shrestho Durga Puja contest?
Residents can vote by sending a WhatsApp message with the pandal’s name to 9304954239. Each number can vote only once per day. Over 200,000 people in Ranchi and surrounding districts have participated since the contest launched. Winners receive a trophy, media coverage, and a ₹100,000 grant for next year’s decorations.
What measures are in place to ensure public safety during the festivities?
The Ranchi Police have deployed 400 personnel across 12 major pandals, with CCTV surveillance and drone monitoring. Medical teams from the District Hospital are stationed on-site daily. Fire safety officers inspect every electrical setup, and all pandals must pass a compliance checklist before opening. Over 15,000 visitors attend daily, with no major incidents reported since 2020.
Are non-Hindus welcome at the pandals?
Absolutely. Many pandals, including Geetanjali Club and OCCI Club, have dedicated sections for non-Hindu visitors with multilingual guides and vegetarian meals. Last year, over 12% of visitors were from Muslim, Christian, and Sikh communities. The festival has become a symbol of secular unity in Ranchi.
Where can I find the full list of lucky draw winners?
The complete list of winners, including ticket numbers and prize amounts, is published on the Saty Amar Lok Durga Puja Committee’s official notice board at Kishorganj Road No. 1 and on their Facebook page. Winners have been contacted directly and must claim prizes within 14 days with valid ID.