Utkarsh Durga Mancha or Chatal is a conceptual architectural intervention envisioned for the serene landscape of the outskirts of Kolkata. Designed by Avratanu Sharma, Founder of Sahaj Designs, the project is a masterpiece of a community space amidst the beauty of nature.

Concept : Chatal in Bengali means an open space for gatherings. The form of the pandal takes inspiration from
1. Old Dalanbari pujo with colonial arched arcades of old North Kolkata Pujo Bari.
2. The uthon /dalan /semi-open courtyard where pandal hoppers gather with their friends or
family under a single shade.

Design : The Chatal provides a space as an opportunity for the visitors to gather, indulge in various social activities, conglomeration. The design of the pandal is a self-supported, minimal surface, shell structure which consists of four conjoined shell providing maximum shading for the visitors. The framework structure of the shell is made with galvanized steel pipes (UTKARSH STEEL PIPES) of diameter ranging from 80 mm to 150 mm, which rests on a brick plinth of 600 mm high, accessible by both stairs and ramps for people of all physical abilities. LED Light stripes had been glued to the bent pipes all long its length for illumination after sunset. 

The circular plinth has a diameter of 32 m, the shell structure that covers the plinth has a maximum height of 6m. A tensile grid translucent skin had been used to cover the entire framework and provide shading for a large number of people. The idol of MAA Durga is placed on a podium which is 900mm high from the ground. A parametric brick wall with rotated bricks had been placed in the background of the idol to symbolize the Aura of Her presence & to bring a sense of enclosure.

The stone finish idol of the deity takes the form of Ashtadasa Bhuja Mahalakshmi Durga. This form is invoked the second, third and fourth chapters of the ‘Shri Shri Chandi’. She is depicted as Devi in her universal form of Shakti. This manifestation of Durga as the slayer of Mahishasura has 18 arms, holding in each hand a string of beads(japmala), battle axe, mace, arrow, thunderbolt, lotus, bow, water pot, cudgel, lance, sword, shield, conch, bell, trident, goblet, noose and the sudarshan chakra.

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