Durga puja has been one of the most important and most awaited time of the year since times immemorial. Celebrated as Navratri throughout India, Durga puja has been all the more closely associated with Bengalis. One of the best times to visit Kolkata and to lose oneself in the city of joys is during Durga Puja. You see the city of joy, in its most colourful, and ecstatic nature.
Each year, the Durga pandals get innovative- which involves rigorous planning, and ideas for precise execution and even more tedious hard work; but what gets tough is keeping these ideas under wrap before panchami. The pandals are always, designed based on the current affairs and going ons in the country, and some times, they are so innovative that you get completely mesmerized by the mere execution of the idea. There are numerous, almost thousands of pandals, but few of them completely outdo each other- pandals in north Kolkata are mosre traditional while the ones in South Kolkata are contemporary, modern and ostentatious.
Here are a list of places, that you have to add to your list of “pandal hopping” this year.
1Bagbazar Sarbojanin
Bagbazar-sarbojanin Kolkata’s oldest community puja pandal, Bagbazar Sarbojanin is the heart of traditional puja, the city by the river Ganga hosts the most traditional pujas, as the idol is made in the same style every year with absolutely no changes- even the weight and height of the idols are kept same. The ‘Ek Chala’ protima (idol) is defined by it’s unique eyes and its crown, which is specially made every year in artist town of Krishnanagar.
2Beliaghata 33 Pally
Beliaghata-33-pally The iconic Yellow Ambassador Taxis that have been the lifeline of Kolkata are now unfortunately going into oblivion mostly due to ease of app-based cabs. The yellow taxis that have been the symbol of Kolkata streets, have been incorporated as a pujo pandal this year at Beliaghata by the artist Shiv Sankar Das. With the theme, Nostalgia, 15 taxis, 200 silencer pipes, and 300 car doors as well as other parts of the ambassador have been used as decoration.
3Deshapriya Park
Deshapriya-park Constructed by artist Minte Pal, on the lines of the Chandi path, with the description of “She looks gracious with a sweet smile on her lips, her hands one thousand in number, with various weapons in all her hands-the clothing of the three-eyed are bright and purified by fire. She is decorated with ornaments all of jewels and have sprung from. All the women who are the jewels are sprung from Her parts and parts of parts and by the power of her Mâyâ, enchanting one and all. She bestows all the wealth that a householder wants”; The goddess here has 1,000 hands to kill 100 asuras. Made of fibreglass it took over six months and around 30 people to execute the task.
4Dum Dum Park
Dum-dum-park Following the theme of fusion, the Dum Dum Park’s Tarun Dal Durga puja pandal has a fusion theme. With the traditional decorations have been kept intact, they have been fused with worli paintings’ designs and patched up with mirror works from Rajasthan
5Golaghata Sarbojoni Puja
Golaghata-sarbojoni-puja Created by artist Sourav Nag, who was disheartened by the discontinuation of stamps and post cards by the postal department and feared that one day these might end up in museum. So with the help of Kolkata BPO, he has set up this pujo pandal by using over 50,000 post cards – no postcards have been cut to create his art work.
6Kabiraj Bagan Sarbajanin Durgotsab
Kabiraj-bagan-sarbajanin-durgotsab Highlighting the idea of ‘maitrayee’, the community has recreated the Maitrayee Express — the train that travels from India to Bangladesh With the theme ‘Cholo beriye asi’ (Let’s go out), the pandal represents the travel-crazy Bengali community with this theme.
7Pallishree Sangha
Pallishree-sangha As part of the 68th year celebrations of the sangha, using the theme, “Holi in autumn”, the committee with an array of colours and art installations not only constructed the pandal, but also painted the entire locality in rainbow colours to match the theme. Created by artist Manas Roy the pandal created is aimed to brighten up the mood reflecting the spirit of the festive season- by trying to understand that due to modernization, the ecological balance is being hampered.
8Shobhabazar Rajbari
Shobhabazar-rajbari The puja at the Rajbari has been performed in the same ‘Nath Mandir’ for all these years. The puja here is significant historically as it was started in the same year as Battle of Plassey. The royal family have always stuck to their traditions and always perform the puja adorning the goddess with gold and silver jewellery from the earlier generations. The puja is open to all.
By: Archa Dave
