Apandal is a fabricated structure, either temporary or permanent, that is used at many places such as either outside a building or in an open area such as along a public road[1] or in front of a house inIndia and other neighbouring countries.[2][3] This canopy or big tent is often used in a religious or other events that gathers people together, such as awedding,fair,exhibition orfestival.
InHinduism, apandal is a temporary structure set up to usually venerate thegod and goddess such asGanesha duringGanesh Chaturthi,Krishna duringKrishna Janmasthami or the GoddessDurga duringDurga Puja, known aspuja pandal.[clarification needed these are only 2 examples] Pandals are also used for nonreligious activities. For instance, thesetents are put up during cultural programs.[4]
Pandals may be modelled after the structure of temples, huts, or skyscrapers.[5]
In a ritual unique toSri Lanka,Vesak thorana pandals are set up during theVesak festival,[6] with illuminated panels illustrated with episodes from the life of theGautama Buddha andJathaka Katha or stories based onBuddhist 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 withPuwak Gasa (Areca nut trees). Creating the structure requires creativity, inventiveness and the high-level expertise of a number of artists and light-system electricians, not to mention funding and planning in advance. The goal is to create a very beautiful and colorful experience. Many different and dedicated groups of experts participating often pass down this work from generation to generation or master to student. With change of time, nowadays Pandols are constructed usingScaffolding, which doesn't require cutting down of "Puwak" Trees as a result.
The most significant part of this display uses simple techniques in an intelligent way to create lighting on the front of the pandal. Most of the time this is a 2D structure.
Pandals are also set up duringGammaduwa (village rebirth) festivals, honouring the goddessPattini.[clarification needed Is this also only in Sri Lanka, only elsewhere, or both?]
Pandal also refers to platforms from which people splash water during the new year celebrations of theThingyan festival.[7]
A pandal can also be aceremonial gate, built to welcome visitors.
A city in the Nilgiris district of the state ofTamil Nadu is namedPandalur.[clarification needed Is this city name's origin connected with pandals or is it only spelled similarly?]
InBangladesh, Pandals, traditionally known asShamiana, are used in open field, outside mosques orEidgahs forEid prayer,mehfils forReligious andCulturaloccasions such as Milad,Mezban andweddings. Each year the national eidgah's entrance gets decorated in a new theme.[8]
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