After a long year of waiting and anticipation, finally Goddess Durga Ma would come to us for a few days. We are almost ready for the occasion to celebrate, enjoy and get painted in the festive mood. The shops and markets crowded with the last minute shopping going on. The traffic moves with laze to make room for the pedestrians. Yes, these are the common scenes we accustomed with before the Durga Puja living and working in the city of joy.
The labourers and technicians busy giving the final touches to the different Goddess Durga pandals/mandaps in the city of joy, Kolkata. This year too the pandals/mandaps of the Goddess decorated with different styles of themes and designs. While passing through any of these mandaps from the north to the south Kolkata, your heart and soul would get purified by the famous Sri Chandi Paath of Birendra Krishna Bhadra. Moreover, during the evening/night your eyes would get lit up with colourful lights decorating the big lanes and roads of the city. Let's check out some of the best Puja Pandals from the north to south Kolkata
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| Hand-work image of Goddess Durga |
The Sarkar Bagan Sommilito Sangha of Nilmani Mitra Ray Street in the north Kolkata stepping into their 97th year of Puja. The mandap touches on the folk art of the states of Bihar and Gujarat. From the entrance of the mandap to the interiors all decorated with rich artwork. Pictures of the Madhubani in Bihar, Warli art of Gujarat, wooden works of the Natun Gram of Midnapore, etc., would greet you. Besides, the various works of jute, terracotta, Alpana (art) of the Santiniketan and the grandeur of the Docra art would keep you engaged for long.
The Jorasanko Sat Pally Puja of the Madan Chatterjee Lane would celebrate 48th year of the Durgautsav celebration. The theme of this year's Puja is “Kormer Adhari Dharmo” meaning work is religion. The mandap artistically decorated with the subject of Purana.
The Sitalatala Sarbojanin of the Kankurgachi Mitali showcasing on the theme of the “Jyotimoyi Ma”. Here, different fiction works of light would come into play to present the Goddess in front of the viewers.
The Alambazar Bada Bagan Sporting Club highlighting on the Barowari Puja of the zamindar Jadav Chandra Ray of Kanthi. The mandap highlighting the atmosphere of a rural zamindari Puja.
The Golf Club Road Committee Puja would celebrate 75th year this Durga Puja. Here, the theme is to honor the women power.
The Netaji Colony Low Land Puja Mandap of the north Kolkata displaying the artistic caves of Ajanta, Ellora and Udayagiri-Khandagiri in their mandap.
The Sobhabazar Noy Pally throwing light on the Naga Civilisation – their dwelling units, food habits, handicrafts and culture.
The Milangarh Puja Committee coming up with the interesting concept. They're relying on the style of temples of the South India.
The Fakir Ghosh Lane Sarbojanin Durgautsav highlighting on the social life of the ancient Kolkata.
The Garia Baishnabghata Duroutsav Samity on the theme of “Thailand Jatra Suru” meaning the journey to Thailand begins. The Samity has crafted the famous statues of Thailand including the statue of Buddha, Ganpati, Brahma, Vishnu, Mahesh and Garuda. Jewelleries and colours used to decorate the statues.