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Kolkata's biggest festival, Durga Puja, is just around the corner. While the festival's core consists of the rites and rituals performed in honour of the goddess, Kolkata has transcended religious boundaries and turned the event into a unique universal carnival. In 2021, the Durga Puja of Kolkata was inscribed on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. One of the major reasons cited by the world body was that "Durga Puja is seen as the best instance of the public performance of religion and art."
Visiting the city during the Durga Puja festival makes it easy to see why. Thousands of pandals pop up across Kolkata, each designed with a theme in mind and featuring elaborate works. In Kolkata, Durga Puja is not just a religious event; it resembles a carnival with jaw-dropping public art installations cropping up all across the city. Kolkata transforms into a vast public art gallery with thousands of pandals—the temporary structures housing the goddess—popping up on the streets. These structures boast extravagant themes and artworks. Vehicles and people weave in and out, interacting with these fantastic pop-up structures. You can think of the pandals as giant art installations and 'pandal-hopping' as a gigantic public gallery crawl. Here are the seven best pandals to visit in Kolkata this Durga Puja.
The well-known pujo in Lebutala, Bowbazar is commemorating its 89th year with an extraordinary theme. This year, the pandal will be transformed to replicate the iconic Sphere of Las Vegas, complete with special lighting and mesmerising effects. The Sphere, renowned as a prominent entertainment arena in Paradise, Nevada, will be brought to life with meticulous attention to detail. This innovative and captivating theme is anticipated to captivate and draw in many visitors.
This Durga Puja pandal is known for its unique themes. This year, the puja will be a collaboration between Irish and Indian artists. The initiative is spearheaded by the Embassy of Ireland in New Delhi to commemorate the 75th anniversary of India-Ireland diplomatic relations. It aims to integrate the rich artistic traditions of both countries in a captivating showcase. Esteemed artists from the renowned Irish group Macnas in Galway and Kolkata’s Behala Nutan Dal will join forces to make an idol of Danu alongside Durga. The placement of Danu's bamboo idol on a pond, symbolising her association with water as a nature goddess, promises to add a captivating touch to the festivities.
Immerse yourself in the captivating theme of this year's Tala Prottoy puja pandal: "Bihil—the Void." It's a powerful reminder that divinity is formless and omnipresent. The pandal seeks to convey the profound idea that God exists everywhere, transcending all specific shapes and forms. With mesmerising decorations and thought-provoking installations, this immersive experience will leave you in awe of the concept of a formless deity.
Another well-known and popular puja in Kolkata is the FD Block’s Durga Puja in Salt Lake. This year, the festival will showcase the theme "Origin to End of Ganga River," inviting you to embark on a breathtaking visual and narrative journey that traces the Ganga River through its significant religious and cultural landmarks. Through captivating lighting and intricate decor, you will witness the river's passage while being prompted to contemplate the pressing issue of pollution that plagues this sacred waterway.
The Bhowanipur 75 Palli puja is commemorating its 60th anniversary. The theme for this year, "Tobuo Tomar Kache Aamar Hridoy," has been brought to life in the mandap design by the talented artist Shivshankar Das. The design elegantly embodies a rustic charm and utilises eco-friendly materials such as iron and asbestos sheets. The Durga idol, crafted by the renowned artist Sanatan Dinda, strikingly fuses traditional elements with a modern touch. This theme beautifully encapsulates people's deep affection for Kolkata, a city that has undergone numerous changes yet remains steadfast to its heritage and roots.
Step into a world of wonder at this pujo pandal, where the theme "Kalpito Kalpanaya Aakar e Mahayatra" will immerse you in the traditional Bengali art of alpona. The pandal will be adorned with intricate alpona designs, each symbolising different periods and emotions. These mesmerising patterns will also be reflected in iron structures, seamlessly blending the essence of tradition with the spirit of modernity.
Love Bengal textiles? Then you should visit the Dumdum Park Bharat Chakra puja this year. The theme is "Udaan," which pays homage to the renowned Jamdani weave. The pandal celebrates the intricate artistry and rich heritage of Jamdani, featuring handcrafted lighting and innovative designs. Every corner of the pandal is adorned with exquisite Jamdani sari weaves, symbolising the timeless craft's evolution and global influence, originating from undivided Bengal.
