India - The sacred city of Deoghar, also known as Baidyanath Dham, stands as a pivotal religious destination in India, revered for its association with Lord Shiva. Nestled in the state of Jharkhand, this pilgrimage site is home to one of the 12 Jyotirlingas, making it a magnet for devotees from across the country.
The Shrawan Mela, an annual month-long fair held during July and August, brings hundreds of thousands of visitors to this holy city, culminating in a vibrant amalgamation of faith, culture, and celebration. This year, the festivities took on a spectacular new dimension.
Headway Kreations was tasked with conceptualising, designing, and commissioning a series of visual experiences across multiple sites in and around Deoghar.
Yogesh Choudhary, founder-director of Headway Kreations, comments: “We have been part of this industry for 17 years, building trust and delivering excellence. Headway Kreations’ journey began in 2007 under the name Laser Vibgyor, focusing on laser-based visual solutions. Over the years, the company evolved, rebranding as Headway Kreations in 2017 to reflect our expanded portfolio and holistic approach to visual technology. Today, we stand as a trusted partner for clients across India, consistently delivering high-quality results that exceed expectations.
“Our long-standing relationship with the organisers of Shrawan Mela is a testament to our commitment to quality and innovation. From projection mapping expositions to immersive laser shows and unique aqua-screen projections, the audience experiences that we’ve coalesced at the Shrawan Mela 2024 celebration showcased a truly seamless blend of technology and creativity.”
The festivities extended beyond the temple precincts to include key locations such as Dumka – a neighbouring city that shares a common history with Deoghar; Basukinath – where ‘Bol Bam’ pilgrims pour holy water on the sacred ‘Shivaling’ after a multi-day journey; and the Clock Tower in Deoghar which is a popular marketplace that’s always bustling with locals and tourists.
At the core of these visual spectacles was a carefully curated projection mapping narrative that brought to life the legend of Ravana’s devotion to Lord Shiva.
Detailing the nuances of the projection mapping content, Choudhary explains: “Our goal was to craft an experience that wasn’t just visually striking but deeply immersive – while staying true to the cultural essence of the Shrawan Mela. We focused on creating a narrative that honoured Deoghar’s spiritual significance, delivering a rich, visually captivating journey that was as enlightening as it was awe-inspiring.”
The story was played four times each evening over the course of the month-long Mela. And each session lasted 40 minutes, immersing viewers in a blend of light, sound, and emotion that left a lasting impression.
To ensure a seamless, cohesive, and high-quality viewing experience, Choudhary and his team deployed the innovative AquaScript water-screen from ASL (Aquatech Sound & Lighting) and the powerful D1-RGB60W lasers from LVS (Laser Vibgyor Systems).
Choudhary reveals: “ASL and LVS are both sister enterprises of Headway Kreations; and hence, they both embody a shared ethos of innovation and precision in visual storytelling. Throughout the course of the demanding 30-day event, these systems delivered flawless results, proving their ability to withstand the challenging and unpredictable Indian environmental conditions without compromising on quality or impact."
At Dumka, Headway Kreations unveiled a visual spectacle by harnessing the power of Epson EB-PU2220B projectors to project vibrant imagery onto ASL’s proprietary AquaScript water-screen. The audience experience was elevated further with the integration of 10 units of the cutting-edge LVS D1-RGB60W lasers, which delivered unmatched visual intensity and precision.
At the Clock Tower, the celebration reached its zenith with high-performance projection mapping, as the Epson EB-PU2220B projectors bathed the historic structure in vivid visuals, transforming it into a glowing beacon of cultural pride and drawing thousands into the heart of the festivities.
“The overall experience has been truly remarkable,” concludes Choudhary. “Both the client and the viewers thoroughly enjoyed the entire month, and we’re proud to have contributed to this unique celebration. As Headway Kreations looks to the future, our commitment to innovation and excellence remains unwavering. With a proven track record and a visionary approach, we are poised to redefine the possibilities of visual technology design and deployment in India.”
