9 Popular Pandals you can’t miss during Durga Puja
Durga puja is the main festival of Bengalis. People flock to see the fabulous lightings, pandal decorations and want to taste the delicious street foods. Meanwhile, nowadays the Durga Puja committee plans the theme of the pandals well in advance. In fact, these pandals are supervised by renowned artists and art students. The Durga puja pandals in North Kolkata are more traditional in nature. South Kolkata puja pandals, on the other hand, are theme-based. These puja pandals are thus, trendy and innovative. Listing here some of the famous Pandals you can’t miss during Durga Puja in Kolkata.
Traditional Durga Puja of Kumartuli Park
Kumartuli Park’s Durga Puja started in 1995. Subsequently, it is one of the most popular pujas in Kolkata. The Durga idol is traditional here and is handmade by skilled artisans of Kumartuli. The pandal theme is innovative yet simple.
Location:
8B, Sarbojanin Durgotsab Committee, Abhay Mitra Street, Sovabazar, Kumartuli, Shobhabazar, Kolkata, West Bengal 700005
Nearest Railway Station
Sovabazar Metro.
Quaint location of College Square
This famous Durga puja in Kolkata was started in the year 1948. The Durga puja pandal is unique. In front, the whole lake area is lit up with mind-blowing. People especially visit this pandal to see the unique light decorations. Moreover, the Goddess here is traditional. This Kolkata puja is specifically famous for organizing special kumari puja on the 3rd day of the Durga Puja.
Location:
53 College Street. Near Calcutta University, off Mahatma Gandhi Road.
Nearest Metro railway stations
Mahatma Gandhi Road and Central Metro.
The Famous Artwork of Santosh Mitra Square
Santosh Mitra Square is one of the best puja pandals in Kolkata. This Durga Puja pandal is among one of the largest and most magnificent pandals in Kolkata. This Durga puja in Kolkata was started in 1936 as ‘Sealdah Sarbojanin Durgotsabh’ and was renamed as Santosh Mitra Square Sarbojonin Durga Puja in 1996. However, this puja is famous for its innovative themes and stunning artwork.
Location:
Central Kolkata, in the Bow Bazaar area on Ganguly Street.
Nearest Metro Station
Central Metro Station
Pioneer in theme-based puja – Badamtala Ashar Sangha
This Kolkata Durga puja pandal is famous among the people of Kolkata. This Kolkata pandal rose into prominence for its theme-based puja in 2010. Because of this, people from all across West Bengal come to visit this pandal. This puja committee started experimenting with themes in 1999 and is said to be the pioneer in theme-based pujas in Kolkata. The puja pandal theme here is unique and equally enthralling each year.
Location:
56, Nepal Bhattacharjee Street, Kalighat. South Kolkata
Nearest metro station
Right near the Kalighat Metro railway station and Rash Bihari Avenue.
Different State Theme – Suruchi Sangha
People make queues here to enjoy the outdoor art. These arts are mainly based on various states of India. This Durga Puja is more than fifty years old. This Kolkata pandal was first awarded by Asian Paints Sarad Samman in 2003 for its wonderful pandal decoration.
Location:
South Kolkata, in New Alipore near the petrol pump on Nalini Rajan Avenue
Nearest Railway Station
Majerhat and Kalighat.
Traditional Pandal – Ekdalia Evergreen Club
Ekdalia Evergreen is one of the most famous Durga pujas in Kolkata. This Durga Puja started in 1943 and is renowned for creating exceptional models of temples of India. Likewise, the street lighting will leave you spell-bound. Furthermore, the Goddess here is decked up in a traditional saree.
Location:
15, Ekdalia Road, Ekdalia, Ballygunge, Kolkata, West Bengal 700019.
Nearest Railway and Metro Station
Ballygunge Railway Station and Kalighat Metro.
The combination of modern art and tradition – Ballygunge Cultural Association
Ballygunge Cultural Association, Durga Puja committee, started its journey in 1951. What makes this Durga puja different is its various cultural programs. The puja committee here experiments with various types of art forms every year. Accordingly, people visit this pandal in large numbers. Additionally, the theme here is made with exceptional care.
Location:
57, Jatin Das Road, Hemanta Mukherjee Sarani, Lake Terrace, Ballygunge.
Nearest Railway Station
Kalighat Metro.
Bagbazar Sarbojonin
This famous Durga puja in Kolkata is one of the oldest Durga Pujas in Kolkata. This puja also celebrated its 100th year in 2018. This Kolkata pandal is generally theme-based. Especially, people come here to see the beautiful Goddess Durga. The puja is held on a big ground, and in addition you can enjoy the mela with various rides and food stalls. This Durga puja is famous for the traditional sindoor khela on Bijaya Dasami. Women from all over Kolkata enjoy Sindoor Khela here.
Location:
It is near the Bagbazar Launch Ghat and Bagbazar Kolkata Circular Railway Station.
Nearest Metro Station
Shayambazar.
Ahiritola Sarbojanin Durgotsav Puja Pandal
This Durga Puja was first held in 1940. It is the first Barwari Durga Puja in Kolkata. The puja committee of Ahiritola is well-known for starting traditional Durga puja in Kolkata besides musical performances. Meanwhile, Durga Puja here is a blend of theme and colourful pandal. It is one of the famous pujas of North Kolkata. Moreover, in Bijoya Dashami, women can enjoy sindoor khela.
Location:
172/C, BK Paul Ave, Ahiritola, Beniatola, Kolkata, West Bengal 700005.
Nearest Railway Station
Sealdah
Kolkata’s Tallest Durga Puja – Desapriya Park
It is one of Kolkata’s prominent pujas. It is famous specifically for its tallest Durga idol in 2015. Every year Durga puja is held in this big playground. It is also one of the oldest pujas in South Kolkata. Furthermore, you can enjoy sumptuous street food in the mela held here.
Location:
Desapriya Park, Rash Behari Road, South Kolkata, beside Priya Cinema Hall
Nearest Metro Station:
Kalighat
Conclusion
There are numerous Durga Puja Pandals you can’t miss. Govt. of India has nominated the Durga Puja festival for UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage. Thus, Durga puja is an indispensable part of Kolkata.