It’s that time of year again. Bengalis around the country, and the world, are gearing up for their five-day extravaganza. From October 8 to 12, parts of cities around India will be transformed—brightly lit pujo pandals, music and dance, delicious aromas, and raucous laughter will take over the night.
The ceremonial worship will begin on Shasti the sixth day after Mahalaya and be carried through over the next four days. Saptami, Ashtami, Navami and Dashami. The most important historical dimension of the festival lay in its transition from the courtyards of elite homes to the neighborhoods of public spaces in the city. These community pujas around 4000 which are organized just in the city of Kolkata, constitute the most effervescent phase of the festival. Durga Puja has now become a vast street festival.
A sight of an enormous exhibition of public art on a scale that is few parallels in any other festival of the world. With the active engagement of artists many of these displays have taken on the local name of theme pujas and they have produced a new genre of contemporary festival art around individual pujas. The new forms of theme pujas with kind of art practices where older traditions have blended with the contemporary. The sound of dhaak traditional Bengali drumming and the arti veneration of the goddess is integral to the ritualistic ambiance of the festival.
Now that the city’s Durga Puja is on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list, this year the celebrations are getting more spectacular than ever before.
KOLKATA
The Durga Puja pandals in Kolkata are famous for their grandeur, authenticity and opulence. This is the time of year when these pandals come alive with intricate carvings, paintings, sculptures and other decorations that pay tribute to the goddess, Ma Durga.
Mohammad Ali Park: The White House
This year, MD Ali Park is introducing a White House-themed pandal to Kolkata for Durga Puja. The design aims to capture the architectural elegance of the White House while educating visitors about its historical importance. Due to limited space, the pandal will be positioned on the side of the park. The idol, crafted by artist Kush Bera, will be a central feature, and the pandal will also emphasize the theme of water conservation.
Shreebhumi – Tirupati Temple
Sreebhumi’s renowned Durga Puja pandal is inspired by the Tirupati Temple this year. The design will reflect the magnificence and spiritual essence of Tirupati, highlighting the theme of ‘Satyam Shivam Sundaram’ – representing truth, beauty, and divinity.
Behala Notun Dal: India-Ireland collaboration
Behala Notun Dal’s theme for this year is “Kalpana” (Imagination), showcasing a collaboration between India and Ireland. The pandal will feature a fusion of the Irish god Danav and Maa Durga, symbolizing an imaginative union of cultures. Celebrating 75 years of diplomatic relations between the two nations, the theme includes contributions from Irish artists. This collaboration highlights the creative potential of cultural exchanges.
Santosh Mitra Square – Las Vegas Sphere
Santosh Mitra Square in Lebutala, Bowbazar is celebrating its 89th year with a Las Vegas-inspired theme. This year, the pandal will replicate the Sphere of Las Vegas, utilizing special lighting effects. The structure will be designed as a hemisphere, and visitors will be treated to an immersive 11-D show, offering a unique and exciting experience.
Mudiali Club, Kalighat – Ode to the Holy Trinity
Mudiali Club’s theme, “Three Dimensions,” centers on the timeless bond between Brahma, Vishnu, and Maheshwar. The pandal will illustrate how their collective powers are essential for creation, preservation, and destruction in the universe, emphasizing the harmonious balance they maintain.
FD Block, Salt Lake – From Origin to End of Ganga River
FD Block’s Durga Puja theme, “Origin to End of Ganga River,” will explore the Ganga’s path through significant religious and cultural landmarks, while also highlighting the pollution issues the river faces. The lighting and decorations will illustrate the river’s journey, encouraging visitors to consider their role in protecting the Ganga.
Lalabagan Nabankur – Go Green
Lalabagan Nabankur is one of the most famous Durga Puja pandals in North Kolkata, attracting thousands of visitors each year who come to admire the remarkable creativity of the artists. This year, a standout feature is the green idols of Maa Durga and her children. The pandal effectively conveys the importance of trees in promoting a healthier environment. Emphasizing the need for increased tree planting as a key strategy in combating climate change, it calls for greater awareness and action to protect nature and prevent its degradation.
College Square – Swizz Parliament
In its 77th year, the College Square Puja continues to be a popular attraction in Kolkata. Known for its impressive lighting and the reflection on the adjacent swimming pool, this year’s theme is the Switzerland Parliament House.
Kabiraj Bagan Sarbojonin Durgotsav: Underwater Metro
This year, Kolkata has another reason to celebrate with the introduction of India’s first underwater Metro. Kabiraj Bagan in Ultadanga, marking its 59th year, will feature a replica of this iconic installation. The pandal will also include a large-scale replica of the Howrah Bridge. Visitors will walk along the elevated bridge, enter a tunnel representing the Metro, and emerge into the main puja area, which will be modeled after the Dakshineswar Kali Temple and will house the idol.
Maddox Square – Ballygunge
Calcutta’s families, couples, literary elite and aspiring literary elite, and students from across college campuses spent many an idyllic hour at the large park inside a quiet residential neighborhood. Majorly attracting South Kolkata pandal-hoppers.
Rajabari Pujos – North Kolkata
At first, the Durga puja celebration at a vast scale was within the walls of aristocrats and elites of Kolkata. To date, the tradition of the idol in the thakurdalan (courtyard) is maintained by the families. Each home has its unique customs.
MUMBAI
Tulip Star Durgostav – Juhu
One of Mumbai’s oldest Durga Puja ceremonies is the North Bombay Sarbojanin Durga Puja, organized by the North Bombay Sarbojanin Durga Puja Samiti. This celebration, initiated by Padma Shri Sasadhar Mukerji in 1948, is also known as the “Mukherjee Durga Puja.” The pujo here attracts numerous celebrities, including Rani Mukherjee, Kajol, Ayan Mukerjee, Tanuja, Amitabh Bachchan, and Jaya Bachchan. The committee emphasizes sustainability by featuring an eco-friendly Durga idol, specially brought in from Kolkata. This year marks the 77th anniversary of the puja in Mumbai.
Lokhandwala Durgotsav – Andheri
Singer Abhijeet Bhattacharya has been organizing the Durga Puja at the Lokhandwala Durgotsav Pandal for the past 28 years. This Pandal is well-known for drawing numerous celebrities who come to participate in the celebrations. The venue is rich with traditional rituals and cultural performances, and Abhijeet often takes an active role in the festivities.
Ramkrishna Mission Durgotsav – Khar
The Ramakrishna Math and Mission on Khar Road holds a special place for the Bachchan family, who consider it a sacred pilgrimage site. Amitabh Bachchan, along with his son Abhishek, daughter-in-law Aishwarya Rai, and granddaughter Aaradhya, frequently visit to seek the blessings of Goddess Durga.
Thakur Village Durgotsav, Kandivali
Organized by the Thakur Village Bengali Association, this Puja pandal is set up for five days and is renowned for its magnificent shola idol, a traditional art form from West Bengal that involves crafting objects from tree stems. This year’s theme for the pandal is “Jorasanko Thakur Bari,” the ancestral home of Rabindranath Tagore, where he was born, raised, and spent a significant part of his life.
The Powai Sarbojonin Pujo – Powai
The Powai Sarbojonin pujo has been gaining attention for its creative pandals. For the past few years, they have been recreating facades of famous temples such as Odisha’s Konark Sun temple and Delhi’s Lotus Temple. This year, the theme highlights Mumbai’s iconic spots and its famous dabbawalas, with a pandal modelled around the Gateway of India.
Navi Mumbai and Thane
The Navi Mumbai Cultural Association and Vashi Cultural Association organise the most well-known of Navi Mumbai’s pujos, with creative pandals, and food and handicraft stalls rivalling that of Shivaji Park. Thane has a few smaller but extremely creative pandals—themes have included recreations of pujos in the huts of rural Bengal to a depiction of Mother Nature through Durga. Worth dropping in for a while.
Must Read: 7 Extraordinary Durga Pujo Experiences to have in Kolkata, Beyond Pandal Hopping
CHENNAI
The Bengal Association – T.Nagar
One of the first Durga Pujas in Chennai with various cultural performances, dance and drama artists, and musicians from Kolkata.
Dakshini Society – Anna Nagar
Started in 1995, the Dakhsini Society is well known for its puja celebrations or Sarodotsav in Anna Nagar. There is music, dances, and even theatres reciting some of the oldest folklore associated with the festival
SMCA Durga Puja – Besant Nagar
Organizes one of the oldest Durga Puja pandals in Chennai. You can munch on home-cooked food here. The food stalls usually serve Kolkata biriyani, Mughlai porotta, and kosha mangsho.
Sri Ramakrishna Math – Mylapore
It’s away from the usual extravaganza of pujas and a more spiritual connection with the goddess. The greenery and tranquillity of the Math take in the divine beauty of the goddess.
DELHI
Chittaranjan Park Kalibari
A go-to place for every single Bengali in Delhi. CR park is the most happening place during pujo with committees organizing different events to keep up with the fervor of non-Bengalis and Bengalis zeal.
Matri Mandir – Safdarjung Enclave
It is a place that houses quiet, calm, and serene Kali Bari that too amid Delhi. Pujo celebration here is done in a beautiful traditional way.
Minto Road – Rajiv Chowk
It is one of the beautiful and traditional pandals offering an incredible amalgamation of culture and Bengali tradition. This pandal is well known for its ‘Dhunuchi Nach’ and best pushpanjali. This puja pandal is a big spot of entertainment since 1940.
Timarpur and Civil Lines Puja Samity
Known for its thematic pandal is one of the most gorgeous pandals in Delhi visited by a such crowd that wants a community feeling.
Bangalore
Bengalee Association – Ulsoor
It is one of the oldest Durga puja in town and they are going to celebrate their 75th year in 2024. Also known for organizing dandiya on Navami. the pandal also puts up a large number of multi-cuisine food stalls, clothes, automobiles, handicrafts, etc. along with performances by its members and renowned artists from West Bengal.
JP Nagar/Kanakapura Road
One of the biggest puja pandals in the city and one of the most happening puja venues in South Bangalore.
Jayamahal Sarbajanin Durga Puja
The 70-year-old Jayamahal Durga Puja is pretty much the city’s most famous ‘theme pujo.’ In 2017, there was a larger-than-life Mowgli guarding the gates.
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