How to Identify Best Puja Pandals in Kolkata? Capture Relevant Information before Your Pandal Hopping - Right Here!

Abstract: 

The Durga Puja Festival in Kolkata for 2023 has just begun. Catch some of the best Puja Pandals right here.

As monsoon begins to recede, Kolkata comes undone to the autumnal hues of the month of Ashwin (seventh month of the lunisolar Hindu calendar). Like a flower, the city opens itself to the possibilities of art. 

Nights are charged with the perfume of shiuli (night flowering jasmine) and at dawn on Mahalaya (held seven days prior to the puja festivities), playwright Birendra Krishna Bhadra’s profound invocation to the goddess rides the wind. This marks the onset of Durga Puja, a festival that Bengal eagerly looks forward to. 

Over the years Durga Puja has grown to epic proportions with its pandals being nothing short of ornate installations of art.

Keywords: 

Durga Puja, Pandals, Worthy, Goddess, Kolkata, Popularity, Culture 

Takeaways

After undergoing this article you will be able to understand the following 

1. What's Durga Puja Pandals?

2. Why Pandals are so beautifully decorated?

3. What are worth seeing Puja Pandals?

4. What are selected few best Puja Pandals?

5. Some information about best Puja Pandals.

6. Conclusions

7. FAQs

1. What's Durga Puja Pandals?

Pandal's are large tent like structures that are recreations of popular buildings, usually temples, built in wood and cloth over a bamboo super-structure. Traditionally they are built for Durga Puja, a festival in the month of October in parts of Eastern India.

In Hinduism, a pandal is a temporary structure set up to usually venerate the god and goddess such as Ganesha during Ganesh Chaturthi, Krishna during Krishna Janmasthami or the Goddess Durga during Durga Puja, known as puja pandal. Pandals are also used for nonreligious activities.

2. Why Pandals are so beautifully decorated?

Durga Puja, also known as Durgotsava, has arrived with another round of great zeal and enthusiasm to be celebrated over 10 ten nights with tapping feet and swaying to the rhythmic moves of dandiya, garba and Dhunuchi naach. People will yet again set out at night time to witness the awe-striking mesmeric creations of the divinity of the idols of Maa Durga and other major deities ~ Lakshmi, Saraswati, Ganesha and Kartikeya. But one wouldn’t fail to notice the way the pandals are given the foremost priority with the kind of artistic decorations delivered by the creators, thus dedicating their hard work in respect to the prowess and motherly power of the Shakti.

3. What are worth seeing Puja Pandals?

This blog gives you a glimpse of some of the best pandals that you must visit during the Durga Puja festival in Kolkata Durga utsav 2023.

Santosh Mitra Square 

Bagbazar College Square 

Hindustan Park

Hindustan Club

Samaj Sebi Sangha

Ballygunge Cultural Association Puja Pandal

Deshapriya Park

Kumartuli Park

Ahiritola Sarbojanin Durgotsav

Telengabagan Sarbojanin Durgotsab Dum Dum Park, 

Tarun Sangha Lake Town 

Adhibasi Brinda Sikdar Bagan Sadharan Durga Puja

Nalin Sarkar Street Sarbojanin Durgotsab

Mohammad Ali Park Durga Puja

Manicktala Chaltabagan Lohapatty Durga Puja

Ekdalia Evergreen Club Singhi Park Sarbojanin Durgotsab 

Mudiali ClubTridhara Sammilani Puja

Shib Mandir Sarbajanin Durgatsab

Bosepukur Sitala Mandir

Naktala Udayan Sangha Puja

Babubagan Club Sarbojanin Durga Puja

Badamtala Ashar Sangha

Suruchi Sangha

Jodhpur Park Puja Pandal

These are some selected few pujas. Apart from these numerous other pujas are there which are eye catching and awesome.

4. Brief description of selected few best Puja Pandals?

1. Santosh Mitra Square Durga Puja Pandal

Hosting Durga Puja for more than 80 years, Santosh Mitra Square is definitely a popular name when it comes to best Durga Puja pandals in Kolkata.

If you remember, in 2017 this pandal became extremely popular by choosing the London Theme. In which Goddess Durga was seen in a Buckingham Palace like setting.

This year too, the committee has decided to do something that can pull a huge crowd despite the darkness spread by Covid 19. Durga idol artist Mintu Pal confirmed that this year the idol of Durga is going to be traditional. Due to the pandemic, they are not experimenting so much but the festive mood and enthusiasm will be the same as before.

2. Kumartuli Park

Location: North Kolkata, along the river at Kumartuli Park, just before Bagbazar.

Nearest Metro Station: Sovabazar Metro

It is one of the youngest and the prominent Durgatsab in Kolkata, displaying the grandeur of Goddess Durga in the most amazing way. The Kumartuli Park Durga Puja Pandal displays a fusion of old-fashioned art and magnificence architecture which brings every aspect of traditional Indian culture. The Puja here is particularly different because it takes place where many of the Durga idols are handcrafted by professional clay makers. Moreover, the idols of goddess Durga and other deities made by these potters of Kumartuli are also exported to US, UK, Canada and South East Asian countries for the Durga Puja Festival.

3. College Square Durga Puja Pandal

Located on College Street, which is some 1.5 long, College Square boasts a picturesque setting for hosting a must see Durga Puja Pandals in Kolkata. Established in 1948, this square sits on the bank of a lake and when during the Durgotsav the entire place is festooned with lights, the place looks absolutely surreal.

The pretty reflection is something nobody wants to miss out on, and thus, you’d see College Square jam-packed.

In 2023, it will be the 77th year of Durga Pooja celebration but due to the horror of the third wave of Pandemic the organizers and locals have decided to keep the pandal smaller compared to that of previous years. The idol of goddess Durga will be less than 10 ft in height and the covid guidelines laid by the government will be strictly followed.

4. Ahritola Sarbajanin Durgatsab Ahritola Sarbajanin 

DurgatsabLocation: North Kolkata. Near the Bagbazar Launch Ghat and Bagbazar KolkataNearest Metro Station: ShayambazarAlmost being there for 100 years now, Bagbazar is one of the oldest Durga Puja Pandals in Kolkata. Situated near Bagbazaar Launch Ghat in North Kolkata, It is comparatively a simpler one with major importance given to the traditional rituals and culture. This Durga Pandal in Kokata is one of the most renowned pandal and attracts huge number of crowds from all over India. The pandals brings beautifully decorated idol of Goddess Durga along with carnival rides, stalls and exhibitions. They also organize art and dance events to let you experience the charm of Durga Puja in the most beautiful way possible.

5. Bagbazar Durga Puja Pandal

In North Kolkata along the river, Bagbazar enjoys a great location. Reckoned to be the one of the oldest Durga Pujo pandals in the city, it boasts being the venue for about a century.

Since the place has been in existence for such a long period, it naturally has the liking amongst the locals who come here to witness the famous Bagbazar Sarbojanin Durgotsav & Exhibition.

One can relish the traditional ways of Puja here along with simple decor that takes back one in time. A carnival takes place here during the Durgotsav when one can also enjoy various rides and eat to their heart’s content.

6. Sree Bhumi Sporting Club Durga Puja

Location: Near P.S Lake Town, Canal Street, Sree Bhumi, Kolkata, West Bengal

We all are true fans of Bahubali but, do you remember the palace of Mahishmati? Then, get ready as the durga puja pandal at Sree Bhumi Sporting Club, is going to create the almost the similar model of that huge palace. With lights, decoration and the perfect lively environment, the Pandal looks nothing but a sight to behold. Considered as one of the best Pandals in Kolkata, this Pandal in Kolkata attracts people from all the nearby places.

7. Hindustan Park Durga Puja Pandal

This Puja Pandal is known for drawing a large number of people during Durgotsav each year, the reason being its gorgeous themes. The place has been hosting the Puja Pandal from around 1932 and ever since has been able to grab the attention of the people. It is one of the most beautiful puja pandals in Kolkata.

Each year, you would have an interesting theme, which is meticulously chosen and skillfully incorporated on Durgotsav. This year the celebration would not be on a grand scale but the enthusiasm and festive mood would surely be delightful.

8. Hindustan Club Durga Puja Pandal

On Sarat Bose Road, Hindustan Club has been a famous landmark in Kolkata. The club is also popular for hosting Durga Pujo in the traditional manner with themes that win hearts.

Each year, the club tries to come up with an interesting theme which is successful in drawing a large mass to it. As per the guidelines the devotees will be able to see the idol from a distance.

You can take plenty of pictures if you are enjoying Durga Puja. It is one of the best things to do. Clicking Pictures of beautiful idols is once in a lifetime opportunity as the idols and the theme change every year. So, Durga Puja Pandal photography is a must.

10. Samaj Sebi Sangha

Situated on Lake View Road in South Kolkata, Samaj Sebi Sangha is known for its traditional themes. The Sangh is also known to incorporate social messages in their themes like women empowerment and right parenting and in the pandal interiors one can get the glimpse of it clearly.

Every year Durga Puja is celebrated here with a great pomp and show and their main aim is to spread the message of love and kindness. This year the celebration will be on a low scale keeping in mind the safety of people from the pandemic.

11. Ballygunge Cultural Association

Ballygunge too is popular in Kolkata for its simple and traditional Durga Puja. The pandal can be visited on Jatin Das Road which is off the Southern Avenue and the Rashbehari Avenue.

The setting here is likely to take you into yesteryear celebrations when the devotion and love for the goddess was even more.

This is one of the most famous Durga puja Pandals of Kolkata that you should not miss. The preparations of the puja have already started during Rath Yatra.

12. Deshapriya Park Durga Puja Pandal

Known for its spectacular Durga Puja, Deshapriya Park is indeed one Puja Pandal you cannot miss in Kolkata. It is a must see Durga Puja Pandals in Kolkata as it is known to impress people year after year with its unique themes like the one of the White Temple of Thailand in the year 2017.

6. Conclusions

Kolkata comes to life under violet shadows of overarching lights, made by artists of Chandannagar and idols byKumartoli artisans. And as pandal hoppers go from Dumdum to Tollygunge, they never know what they might find at every corner — a towering pandal, an old friend or a child blasting the bhepu (a noisy mouth instrument). Under eaves of colourful nights, the city gives itself over to the beats of the dhaak (drums), dance of the dhunuchis (a traditional dance with frankincense) and the trappings of art, sculpture and creativity.

7. FAQs

1. Why there are ten arms of Durga?

Ans. While killing Mahishasura, two hands were not sufficient to fight that fiercy demon. Therefore Shiva blessed her with those extra eight limbs.

2. Who is Ganesh?

Ans. Ganesh is the youngest child of Durga. He is believed to the fastest writer in this world and is worshipped as the starter of anything. Even before the worship of Durga starts, Ganesh is worshipped first, to ensure that he lets the Puja get going. Regarding his face which is that of a white elephant, the story goes that 'Shani', who is the brother of Durga, was a God whose eyes are sufficient to behead one in just the first look. On Ganesh being born, Shani was so happy that he forgot about this and went to see Ganesh. Invariably, Ganesh was beheaded. Shani, on realising what he have done, consulted Narayana immediately and it was Narayana who told him to go in a specific direction and bring the head of the first thing he meets on his way, which will be remade into Ganesh's body. Shani found a white elephant on his way and brought the head of it to Narayana, who in turn, fitted that head into Ganesh. On being told by Durga that what will happen if people donot worship this elephant headed funny looking God, Narayan gave Ganesh the boon that Ganesh will be worshipped before starting anything, including the worship of other Gods. Ganesh rides a mouse.

3. Why Kumartuli is famous?

Ans. Most of the images worshipped in different Puja pandals of Calcutta are actually modelled in Kumartuli,near Sovabazar in Calcutta. Kumartuli has been the nerve centre of image making for more than a century. Many of the present day clay modellers owe their origin to the famous clay modelling clans of Nadia district in West Bengal, though there are many exceptions nowadays. 

This form of art has been a hereditary aspect of the people of Kumartuli. However, as time has passed by, various changes in the iconography of the Goddess has been noticed time and again. From the very primitive 'Ekchala' model upto the Dinossaur riding Devi, the Kumartuli clay modellers are the people who have given form to the changing tastes of Calcuttans.