Durga Puja in Kolkata is not just a festival, it’s an experience of art, culture, and celebration. Every year, some of the city’s most famous puja pandals become the talk of the town for their elaborate themes and creative designs. Here’s a look at the top 10 must-visit pandals in Kolkata for Durga Puja 2024:
1. Sreebhumi Sporting Club: Shri Venkateswara Temple of Tirupati
Sreebhumi Sporting Club is known for its massive and ornate pandals. This year, they’ve drawn inspiration from the sacred Shri Venkateswara Temple of Tirupati, bringing the grandeur of one of India’s most revered temples to life in Kolkata. Expect intricate architecture and a spiritual atmosphere that will transport you to the hills of Tirupati.
2. Santosh Mitra Square: The Sphere of Las Vegas
Santosh Mitra Square is going global this year, with a theme that brings the glitz and glamour of Las Vegas to Kolkata. Titled “The Sphere of Las Vegas,” this pandal will be a dazzling spectacle with lights, modern art installations, and a fusion of cultures, offering a visual treat to all visitors.
3. Kumartuli Sarbojonin Durgotsav: Farmers’ Protest
Kumartuli, the hub of idol makers, often uses its platform to highlight social issues. This year, they’ve chosen the theme of the Farmers’ Protest, a significant movement in India. Through their pandal, they aim to create awareness about the challenges faced by farmers and the importance of their contribution to society.
4. College Square: Switzerland Parliament House
Famed for its picturesque setting around a lake, College Square’s 2024 pandal will be modeled after the Parliament House of Switzerland. The elegant architecture and the serene ambiance of the water reflections will make this pandal a must-visit, especially at night when it is beautifully illuminated.
5. Telengabagan: Food Wastage
In an attempt to draw attention to one of the world’s pressing issues, Telengabagan has chosen the theme of Food Wastage. Their pandal will serve as a reminder of how much food is wasted daily while millions go hungry, encouraging visitors to be more mindful about consumption.
6. Kabiraj Bagan Sarbojonin Durgotsav: Underwater Metro
Kabiraj Bagan’s theme this year is inspired by the engineering marvel of Kolkata’s Underwater Metro. The pandal will showcase the technological innovation behind India’s first underwater metro tunnel, combining modern infrastructure with the city’s love for tradition.
7. Dum Dum Park Tarun Sangha: Natural Disasters from Human Intervention
Dum Dum Park Tarun Sangha is focusing on the environmental impact of human interference in river flow, such as dams and deforestation. Their pandal will depict the consequences of such actions, highlighting floods, erosion, and other natural disasters caused by these interventions.
8. Ekdalia Evergreen Club: Puri Jagannath Temple
One of the oldest and most beloved pujas, Ekdalia Evergreen Club is recreating the Puri Jagannath Temple this year. Known for their commitment to traditional craftsmanship, the pandal will offer a glimpse into the iconic Odisha temple, capturing its religious and architectural essence.
9. Chetla Agrani: Ganga Pollution
Chetla Agrani is taking a stand for the environment with a theme centered around Ganga Pollution. Through artistic installations and thoughtful design, they aim to raise awareness about the severe pollution of the sacred Ganges River and its impact on millions of lives.
10. Garia Pancha Durga: Vrindavan Chandrodaya Temple
Garia Pancha Durga is bringing the magnificence of Vrindavan’s Chandrodaya Temple to Kolkata. This pandal, inspired by the grandeur of one of the world’s tallest temples under construction in Uttar Pradesh, will blend devotion with monumental architecture, making it a visual marvel.
