The same notebook page for every puja. Pencil first, ink later. If we couldn't check something, we leave it blank — we don't guess. Final scores: jury 70% + verified public notes 30%.
Field visits from Mahalaya to Navami. Day + night. Photos, measurements, artisan interviews, sound readings after 10pm.
Standard dossier per puja: theme note, materials, named artists, lighting plan, accessibility audit, queue behaviour.
Independent jury scoring on eight dimensions. Public notes verified and weighted at 30%. Dissent is printed, not hidden.
Eight honours + People's Choice. Scoresheets, jury notes and counts published. Annual Insights Report archived.
| Dimension | What we check | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Creativity | Originality of concept, material risk, freshness. A small twist counts. | 25 |
| Artistic excellence | Composition, detailing, harmony. We walk behind the pandal too. | 25 |
| Idol craftsmanship | Anatomy, expression, finish — kathamo to chokkhu-daan. Maker named. | 20 |
| Theme & storytelling | Can a 12-year-old get it in 5 minutes? Does it stay after Dashami? | 20 |
| Lighting | Night visit only. Glare, queue comfort, resident sleep. Brightest ≠ best. | 15 |
| Sustainability | Materials, waste, sound, river footprint. Verified at the ghat on Ekadashi. | 15 |
| Tradition | Ritual precision — dhak, arati timing, bhog, family continuity. | 20 |
Four jurors score independently. Highest and lowest are discussed, not averaged blindly.
Verified visits only — day + time required. "Nice pandal" doesn't count; specifics do.
Scoresheets, counts, dissent and corrections. Mistakes are crossed, not erased.