Durga Puja is the biggest festival for the Bengalis and for a Bengali Durga Puja doesn’t really need any introduction. In fact to the rest of the world as well currently the Durga Puja is extremely popular and that’s why you will find people from various states and countries also celebrating it with a lot of grandeur. But let’s face it, the kind of Puja you can enjoy in West Bengal and especially in Kolkata is something you can’t find anywhere else. It is something that only people who have witnessed it will know. And if you are one such person who doesn’t know about it yet you need to visit the city during the puja. So for both the city dwellers and the tourists I will mention some of the best Durga Puja in Kolkata that will let you witness the true grandeur of this festival.
Best Durga Puja in Kolkata
Kolkata Durga Puja is currently a recognized festival all over the world and there are a lot of reasons behind it too. If you are in Kolkata during the Durga Puja you will see how the people get into festivity with so much excitement. The festival starts much ahead of the actual days of Puja and ends even later. All these days the city forgets about everything else only to swim into the ocean of happiness. It is much different than the Navaratri celebrations everywhere else.
Keep on reading this article as here I will mention some Durga Puja Pandal in Kolkata that you cannot miss out on visiting this year. You will be excited and elated after a visit to any or all the Durga Puja pandal that I will mention here. So take a list of the pandals and start planning your route because pujas are knocking at the doors already.
Santosh Mitra Square
Address: Natabar Dutta Row, Lebutala, Bowbazar, Kolkata
Santosh Mitra Square Durga Puja is undoubtedly one of the famous and one of the crowds pulling Durga puja in Kolkata. Here they have been hosting the puja for more than 80 years now and attract a huge number of visitors with their theme pujas. The pandal garnered huge popularity when they made a pandal replicating the Buckingham Palace in London. To witness the Goddess in a set up like that surely attracted a huge number of visitors.
However the recent attraction has been the pandal in the form of Ayodhya Ram Mandir in 2023. Even before the inauguration of the actual temple they decided to make a pandal that looked exactly like that. Obviously it attracted lakhs of people and it broke all records of being the best Durga Puja in Kolkata. Another thing that attracted so many people is the laser lighting here that elevates the beauty of the pandal more. So if you are interested to witness a one of a kind of puja pandal that is thriving on popularity in recent times then you cannot miss out on this pandal.
Deshapriya Park Durga Puja
Address: Manoharpukur, Kalighat, Kolkata
The Deshapriya Park Durga Puja is one of the popular durga puja pandal in Kolkata. They had always been popular with their theme pandals and huge elaborate decorations. However they got the highest popularity during 2015 as they created an 88 feet tall idol of Goddess Durga. They promoted this as the tallest idol ever and that attracted lakhs of visitors. But the hype led to a stampede and the pandal was closed due to negligence and mismanagement. But the much hyped Durga Puja soon made a comeback. They again created the White Temple of Thailand in 2017 that gained them huge popularity.
So if you are looking forward to visiting this hyped puja in the city, you must go for it. The theme, the idol and the whole ambiance of the puja will surely be interesting to explore.
Baghbazar Sarbojonin Durgotsav
Address: Sovabazar, Baghbazar, Kolkata
The Bagbazar Sarbojonin Durgotsav is one of the very first durga puja in Kolkata. It was furthermore one of the durga puja that regular people organised unlike other pujas that the Zamindars organized at that time. It is a durga puja continuing for more than 90 years and it reflects the traditions and cultures at its best. Currently this is one of the best traditional durga pujas you can witness in Kolkata. From the lot of theme pujas, this is a breath of fresh air for sure. The traditional idol of Goddess, the beautiful puja pandal, and an exhibition and fair at the ground attracts a huge chunk of visitors every year.
As the durga puja here is popular for its rich tradition it also attaches itself with a rich history. In 1938-39 Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose was the president of this Durga Puja. Currently they follow all the traditional rituals during the puja. Here you will also be able to witness the Kumari Puja on three days, Saptami, Ashtami and Nabami. The Sindur Khela before the immersion of the Goddess is yet another major attraction here.
Samaj Sebi Sangha
Address: 24 A Lake View Road, Hemanta Mukherjee Sarani, Lake Terrace, Ballygunge, Kolkata
Samaj Sebi as the name suggests literally translates to helping hands or helpers of the society. And that is exactly what this club intends to associate them with. With their popular puja they also promote social messages through their themes. Some of their famous themes in the past were messages on women empowerment, education of girl child, right parenting and a lot more. They celebrate the durga puja with much grandeur but attach social work with that too.
Also they are popular for their events like Longest Fashion Ramp Show, Longest Alpona, Dhunuchi Naach, Benaras Aarti for the first time in Kolkata etc. They try to add a special punch to their puja and theme and make it more attractive every year. So if you are looking for the best Durga Puja in Kolkata then this is definitely one of them.
Ahiritola Sarbojanin Durgotsav
Address: 172/ C, B K Paul Avenue, Ahiritola, Beniatola, Kolkata
The Ahiritola Sarbojanin Durgotsab Samity is one of the heritage durga pujas in the city continuing since 1940. They are popular for their theme pandal that also adds a mix of traditional style as well. The theme pandal, colourful representation along with musical touch makes this pandal a worth visiting pandal. They are however also involved in various social activities as well. Every year they organize activities like Blood Donation Camp, Eye Cure Camp, Free Distribution of medicines and a lot more. Furthermore, they have a lot of awards in their collection as well. Some of them are Asian Paints Sharad Samman, awards by Zee Bangla and Anandabazar, the best Dhaki award and a lot more.
Ekdalia Evergreen Club
Address: 15 Ekdalia Road, Ballygunge, Kolkata
This is again one of the traditional durga puja that you will find in Kolkata which is equally popular. In the days of theme pujas, Ekdalia Evergreen still prefers to stick to the traditional form of pandal and the idol. They have the same style of idols that are common for their puja. Yet they attract lakhs of visitors on the prime days of the puja. However they do make the pandals based on important temples in India. Along with that the inner decoration also reflects various ancient forms of art. The huge chandeliers that they place on the ceiling is also one of the major attraction of their puja
They have maintained the style of age old style pratima or idol here that is yet another major attraction here. So if you want to explore such a traditional Durga Puja in Kolkata then you must consider visiting this puja pandal.
Tridhara Sammilani
Address: near Deshapriya Park, Dover Terrace, Satyendranath Mazumdar Sarani, Kolkata
The Tridhara Sammilani Durgotsav is yet another popular durga puja in Kolkata. There are all the right reasons about why this is one of the best durga puja in Kolkata. The point of the durga puja is located at a junction of three streets. They are Rashbehari Avenue, Mahanirban Road and Manoharpukur Road, and therefore it justifies the name Tridhara. They also have a point of including the thinking of all three generations, the seniors, the present Day youths and the future youths in their themes. The location of the puja and the shape of the pandal is one of the popular aspects of this puja. The puja dates back to 1947 and has become one of the most popular pujas at present.
They have focused on the creative side of the puja a lot and that makes the puja more attractive for visitors. Some of their popular themes in the past have been Mantrasala of Padmanabhapuram Palace of Kerala, Terracotta style temple of Bishnupur etc. Also they have created a replica of Rajasthani Haveli in 2011 that attracted a lot of visitors. To enjoy the art and creativity you must plan a visit to this durga puja this year.
Suruchi Sangha
Address: 500 and 505, Block M, Station Road, New Alipore, Kolkata
This is a 70 year old Durga Puja in Kolkata that attracts a huge chunk of visitors every year. What makes this puja one of the best pujas in the city is the way it showcases the traditional art and culture of West Bengal. The main idea behind their exquisite pandals mostly is to reflect the rural heritage of Bengal. They also highlight the aspects like handicrafts, folk arts, cottage industries and more. It is obviously one of the popular puja pandals to visit in Kolkata. The puja mainly got more popularity during 2003 when they received an award for the best decoration. Later they again received awards in 2009 as well. So in your list of must visit puja pandals this year you must include this durga puja as well.
Wrapping Up!
So that was all about the best Durga Puja in Kolkata and I have mentioned some of the best durga puja pandals that you need to visit this year. The puja in Kolkata is like a carnival and the people in the city dance to the tunes of festivities. The extravagant Kolkata Durga Puja is furthermore a show of skill and talent as well. Each of the puja organisers take their best foot forward to showcase their skill and creativity. And it is extremely interesting to go through these artistic pandals here as well. Along with that you will find cultural programs, fairs, and various events at a lot of these pandals where you can spend some time. So this year durga puja is definitely going to be a wholesome for you. And keep this list handy this year so that you can visit all these best pandals in Kolkata.
Let me know if this article on the best Durga Puja in Kolkata is helpful for you all. And also let me know your plans to celebrate the biggest festival this year.
