Pandal

Hinduism

In Hinduism, pandals are set up to venerate deities during festivals such as Ganesha during Ganesh Chaturthi, Krishna during Krishna Janmasthami or Durga during Durga Puja, known as puja pandal.^{[clarification needed these are only 2 examples]}

Pandals may be modelled after the structure of temples, huts, or skyscrapers.

Buddhism

In a ritual unique to Sri Lanka, Vesak pandals are set up during the Vesak festival, with illuminated panels illustrated with episodes from the life of the Gautama Buddha and Jathaka Katha or stories based on Buddhist 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 with Puwak Gasa (Areca nut trees).

Pandals are also set up during Gammaduwa (village rebirth) festivals, honouring the goddess Pattini.^{[clarification needed Is this also only in Sri Lanka, only elsewhere, or both?]}

Pandal also refers to a platform from which people splash water during the new year celebrations of the Thingyan festival.

Islam

In Bangladesh, pandals, traditionally known as shamiana, are used in open field, outside mosques or Eidgahs for Eid prayer, mehfils for religious and cultural occasions such as Milad, Mezban, and weddings. Each year the national Eidgah's entrance is decorated in a new theme.