Decoration · 4 min read
Planning a chappara for your function: what to decide early
A chappara, or pacha pandal, is the decorated entrance of green leaves and flowers that tells everyone a family is celebrating. It's often the first thing guests see. A few early decisions make it look right and go up smoothly.
Where will it stand?
Chapparas go up at house gates, apartment entrances, hall entrances and sometimes across a street. Each needs a different size and fixing method, so the location comes first.
If you live in an apartment, check with the association before the day. If the chappara will cover part of a road, check what permission your area needs.
How big should it be?
Measure the width and height of the entrance, and think about who passes underneath: guests, elders, a car, a band. A site visit settles this quickly, because the decorator can see the gate, the walls and anything overhead such as wires or trees.
Fresh leaves need the right timing
Fresh leaves and flowers look their best soon after they're put up. They wilt over the days that follow. Plan the set-up close to the function, and tell your decorator if the celebrations run over several days.
Colours, flowers and lights
Decide what you want the chappara to say.
- Drape colours that match the family's choice or the function
- Flowers: marigold strings, jasmine or a mix
- Decorated pillars at the sides
- Lights, if guests will arrive after sunset (this needs a power point or a generator nearby)
After the function
Agree beforehand on when the chappara comes down and who clears the leaves and flowers. It's a small detail that neighbours and apartment associations notice.
How we can help
Chappara and pandal work is one of our specialities. We visit the location, suggest the size and design, set it up with our own crew, and can add lighting and power for the evening.
Written by the PlannerAddict team.