Durga Puja is a major Hindu festival celebrating the goddess Durga’s victory over the buffalo demon Mahisasura, symbolizing the triumph of good over evil. It is marked by elaborate rituals, vibrant decorations, cultural performances and community gatherings. It is celebrated primarily in Eastern India, particularly in West Bengal.
From the 9th to the 12th of October, numerous pandals, including many theme-based pandals, are set up in cities all across India, showcasing the skills of different artists and artisans. Here are this year’s Top 5 Puja Pandals of the West Bengal festival.
1) Kumartuli Sarbojanin Puja – One of the oldest Durga Pujas in North Kolkata. This year, the Kumartuli Sarbojanin has honoured the contributions of the farmers and their wives. The pandal has been divided into three sections, highlighting the interconnectedness of nature, humans and the exploitation of farmers. This pandal was made using clay, soil, wood, mud, bamboo and hand-painted art. The Goddess Durga has been presented as an ordinary woman here. The pandal shows the hard-worked and tired farmers returning home to food lovingly prepared by their wives. And in this case, Goddess Durga represents the farmer’s wife doing her duties.
2) Jagat Mukherjee Park- Situated in North Kolkata, this pandal has created a replica of India’s first underwater metro in Kolkata. This pandal highlights the contrasting images of the city’s underwater metro and the pollution happening to the River Ganges. This pandal gives an eco-friendly message, pioneering for a cleaner Ganga River. The Goddess Durga is embodied as Maa Ganga, the Hindu Goddess of the Ganges River, serving as a powerful symbol to maintain the purity and divinity of Maa Ganga and to protect her by keeping her clean.
3) Suruchi Sangha – Located in New Alipore, this pandal seeks to remind us that humankind ought not to forget our roots as we adapt to newer technologies. This pandal presents a thought-provoking Durga Puja pandal with a powerful message about the importance of remembering our roots amidst technological progress. The theme serves as a poignant reminder of the contributions of our parents, subtly protesting the growing trend of old age and retirement homes. The pandal highlights the abandonment of once-cherished objects and values in today’s fast-paced world. Artfully using discarded vehicles, fishing nets, oil tins and paint containers, the creators emphasize this message with LED lighting, creating a striking, theatrical atmosphere.
4) Santosh Mitra Square – This pandal, near College Street, dazzled visitors with its “Sphere of Las Vegas” themed Durga Puja pandal. Drawing inspiration from the iconic sphere in Nevada, Las Vegas, the pandal recreated this renowned music and entertainment venue. The striking hemispherical structure captivated onlookers with its mesmerizing illumination display. The artists and artisans used metal and bamboo framework, foam, LED light strips, projectors and sound systems to create a marvelous display. The use of cutting-edge 1D lighting was particularly eye-catching, showcasing an exemplary visual spectacle that left visitors in awe. This pandal became a must-see for its innovative design and the sheer grandeur of its lightwork, attracting large crowds throughout the festival.
5) Tala Park Pratyay – This year, the pandal for the Tala Park Pratyay was decorated with the theme “behem” which in Indian translates roughly as “The Void”. This year’s installation intrigued Durga Puja enthusiasts, who eagerly awaited its unveiling. The theme symbolized the artist’s spiritual journey towards a formless representation of Durga, offering a deep and abstract interpretation. The creative and artistic execution of the concept stood out, garnering widespread admiration. The makers have used metal framework, reflective surfaces, monochrome textures, minimalistic sculptures and transparent glass materials to create a spectacular display of Goddess Durga. The pandal’s originality and thought-provoking design made it a significant highlight of the festival, attracting visitors for its conceptual depth and aesthetic appeal. This fusion of innovation and spirituality made the pandal a standout attraction during the festival.