10 Best Durga Puja Pandals To Visit This Year
There are literally thousands of Durga Puja pandals but some stand out more when compared to others because of their unique theme and amazing decorations. Every year the pandals compete on most innovative and traditional aspects of culture. Some pandals are more contemporary and extravagant whereas some are more inclined towards the ritual and devotional perspective.
It's time to BONG it up and get ready to worship Goddess Durga, make merry and enjoy the celebrations with your friends and family.
Though the festivities take place in various parts of the country the grandest is that in Kolkata and Delhi. To make the most of Durga Puja celebrations this year, we recommend visiting these ten pandals in the cities -
Bagbazar, Kolkata
Photo from YouTube
Bagbazar is one of the oldest Durga Puja pandals in Kolkata which emphasises on rather a simple, traditional and cultural side of the puja. The pandal has been in existence for around 100 years now and attracts a huge crowd with a beautiful and eye-opening idol of Goddess Durga. An exhibition is also held on the grounds with food stalls and other carnival rides.
Kumartuli Park, Kolkata
Photo from Pinterest
This pandal is quite new as compared to the previous one. The pandal was formed in the year 1995 and deserved all the popularity. It is special because it takes place in the place where idols of Goddess Durga are handcrafted by professional clay modellers. The organisers here believe in going creative with their themes for a fantastic Pujo experience.
College Square, Kolkata
Photo from YouTube
The pandal was established in the year 1948 which has a really attractive setting of a lake beside the whole ground which is lightened for the celebrations of the festival. The pandal is hence crowded with people to see the calming reflection of water and sparkling lights at the puja.
Jodhpur Park, Kolkata
Photo from Images of bengali food and festival
The pandal at Jodhpur park is one of the most spacious and popular ones in Kolkata. The themes have become quite vast and different yet traditional than others with the growing years. The pandal was once all set up in a hi-tech format. The idol was created with biodegradable materials from a 3D printer which makes it first of its kind idol in the world.
Santosh Mitra Square, Kolkata
Photo from Online Durga Puja 2018 | 365pujo
The place was originally founded in 1936 as "Sealdah Sarbojanin Durgotsav", however, it was renamed as Santosh Mitra Square in 1996. The pandal rose to fame later with a dazzling innovative theme based on London and it has remained popular ever since due to its excellent artwork.
CR Park, Kali Bari - Delhi
Photo from The GangVani
This is a mini Bengal right in the south of Delhi where all the happening celebrations of Durga Puja takes place. The celebrations at the Kali Bari Mandir began in 1925 making it one of the oldest pandals in the city. The temple is the perfect place to participate in dhunuchi naach and indulge yourself in some mouth-watering delights like maacher jhol, aloo poshto etc.
Kashmere Gate, Delhi
Photo from Times of India Blogs
This pandal was set up way back in 1909 wherein the traditional pujo celebrations take place. The organisers, which is the Durga Puja Samiti believe that a proper visarjan needs to take place in a bullock cart making it fancier and attracting thousands of devotees on the day of immersion. The idols are crafted in the classic design with decorations of silver and gold to showcase all the glory.
Safdarjung Enclave, Delhi
Photo from Tripoto
The Safdarjung Enclave Durga Puja Pandal is organised by the Matri Mandir Samity. Artists are especially invited from Kolkata to create the idol at this pandal with a unique theme each year like popular Indian temples or successful Indian women like Lata Mangeshkar, Mary Kom and more. The ambience of the pandal and decorations of the Durga idol bring flocks of crowd to this place.
Arambagh, Delhi
Photo from What's Up Life
The Arambagh Durga Puja Samity was rumoured to have spent around 1 crore for the pandal back in 2013 to celebrate its silver jubilee that resembled a Buddhist Monastery. A beautiful gold mandap with Buddhist prayer wheels and several designs of thonkas were incorporated in the design of the pandal that year. This pandal is one of the strong funding pandals in the city which makes it a must visit this year.
Mayur Vihar, Delhi
Photo from The Financial Express
The celebrations at this pandal aren't worth missing wherein the mandap is decorated with a lot of innovation and thought. The puja takes place right inside the temple which makes it even more special wherein you can get all the feels of the traditional magic of the arati at night and enjoy some lip-smacking bhog in the afternoon.
Picture Credits - The Financial Express, What's Up Life, Tripoto, Times of India Blogs, The GangVani, Online Durga Puja 2018, Images of bengali food and festival, Pinterest, YouTube
Text by - GirlStyle IN
