Get ready to witness the grandest celebrations in Kolkata because Durga Puja is almost here! With just a month left (October 9-13), the city is buzzing with excitement. The top pandals are halfway done, and this year’s themes are going to blow your mind! From cultural icons to social issues, these 10 must-visit pandals are the ultimate head-turners. Check them out:
Shri Venkateswara Temple of Tirupati
HCX3+H53, Canal St, near P.S, Sreebhumi, Lake Town, South Dumdum, West Bengal 700048
Say hello to the sacred vibes of Tirupati! Sreebhumi Sporting Club is known for jaw-dropping pandals—remember the Paris Disneyland last year? This time, it’s a 100-foot tall, golden-inside, white-outside replica of the Shri Venkateswara Temple. Imagine Balaji motifs and an entrance that looks like the real deal!
The Sphere Of Las Vegas
Natabar Dutta Row, Lebutala, Bowbazar, Kolkata, West Bengal 700014
From sacred to Sin City! Santosh Mitra Square is giving us a slice of Vegas, complete with a spherical pandal that’s set to stun with an 11-D show (yes, ELEVEN dimensions!). Expect mind-blowing visuals of Goddess Durga and Mother Nature from all angles. Last year, they nailed the Ayodhya Ram Temple—so get More.
Farmers’ Protest
J927+F2X, Durga Charan Banerjee St, Sovabazar, Kumartuli, Shobhabazar, Kolkata, West Bengal 700005
Say hello to the sacred vibes of Tirupati! Sreebhumi Sporting Club is known for jaw-dropping pandals—remember the Paris Disneyland last year? This time, it’s a 100-foot tall, golden-inside, white-outside replica of the Shri Venkateswara Temple. Imagine Balaji motifs and an entrance that looks like the real deal!
Switzerland Parliament House
H9F7+RQ9, College St, College Square, Kolkata, West Bengal 700073
From sacred to Sin City! Santosh Mitra Square is giving us a slice of Vegas, complete with a spherical pandal that’s set to stun with an 11-D show (yes, ELEVEN dimensions!). Expect mind-blowing visuals of Goddess Durga and Mother Nature from all angles. Last year, they nailed the Ayodhya Ram Temple—so get More.
Underwater Metro
Kath Gola, Bagmari, Kolkata, West Bengal 700067
Get ready to dive deep with Kabiraj Bagan’s underwater metro pandal! Walk across a replica of the Howrah Bridge, board an air-conditioned “metro,” and emerge into the Dakshineswar Kali Temple. This one’s going to be an adventure!
Food Wastage
Bus stop, 65, Adhar Chandra Das Ln, Muchibazer, Telenga Bagan, Ultadanga, Kolkata, West Bengal 700067
This year, Telengabagan tackles a tough topic—food wastage. The pandal will bring to life the stark contrast between waste and hunger, with Goddess Durga as Annapurna, the universal provider. Raw, real, and heart-touching.
Natural Disasters
Tank No 3, Dum Dum Park Rd, South Dumdum, West Bengal 700055
Highlighting the impact of human intervention on nature, Dum Dum Park’s theme, “Muktodhara” (Free Flow), shows how we invite natural disasters through man-made constructions. Expect powerful visuals and a stunning mountain goddess idol!
Puri Jagannath Temple
15, Ekdalia Rd, Ekdalia, Ballygunge, Kolkata, West Bengal 700019
South Kolkata’s Ekdalia Evergreen brings Puri’s Jagannath Temple alive! Flags will change daily like the real temple, and you can even get a taste of the famous Puri prasad. A must-visit for divine vibes!
Ganga Pollution
14, Peary Mohan Roy Rd, Chetla, Kolkata, West Bengal 700027
Focusing on the pollution of the holy Ganga, Chetla Agrani uses eco-friendly elements to spread awareness. Expect traditional vibes and a goddess idol that will inspire reverence while sending a strong message.
Vrindavan Chandrodaya Temple
F96H+J7M, Purbapara, Kamdahari, Kolkata, West Bengal 700084
Step into a mini Vrindavan with Garia Pancha Durga’s stunning replica of the Vrindavan Chandrodaya Temple, decked out with glass and dry fruit interiors! Don’t miss the unique five Durga idols, giving this puja its famous name.
Here are some stunning pandals this year that deserve special mention in our list
Lalabagan Nabankur celebrates its 65th anniversary with an eco-friendly approach featuring 8000 plants in this year’s Durga Puja.
A societal concern that has been brought to light by the Chetla Agrani Club is the pollution of the Ganga, a sacred river whose water is used for religious purposes. The organizers hope to convey the idea that if the Ganga becomes contaminated, the entire civilization will also become contaminated.
Naktala Udayan Sangh is going to show the narrative of that lost famil in this year’s Durga Puja theme: “Ekannabarti”. This theme will show how the 1980s, 1990s, and current era differ from one another.
This year, Tarapukur Adi Sarbojonin brings the famous Blue Temple of Thailand, which comes with modern artistic designs.
Experience the tallest ever Durga Maa’s idol this year at Sodepur Sahid Colony Sharbojonin. According to the Limca Book of World Records, it might even be the highest idol in the festival’s history.
With 2024’s theme: “Imagination”, artists from Kolkata and Ireland have joined hands together to create the stunning pandal this year.
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