5 Must-Visit Durga Pandals In Kolkata
Durga Puja – two words that will put a smile on every Bengali’s face. Have you ever met a Bengali who did not speak passionately and lovingly about the festival? We don’t believe so! Durga Puja is a major festival, especially for those who live in Kolkata, the city of joy. The event is associated with many childhood memories, tales, and legacies, and all Bengalis have a strong connection to it. Apart from our personal and emotional attachment to this auspicious festival, Durga Puja is also a time when we welcome the all-powerful and majestic Goddess into our homes.
Durga Puja is the time of year when Bengalis lose their cool. People don’t hesitate to search for Durga Puja dates on January 1st or as soon as the new calendar comes. Oh yes, this is how enthusiastic Bengalis are about the festival. According to some, the Durga Puja is a fair that is planned for months. When autumn approaches, people start purchasing goods and arranging what will happen over the five-day fiesta. As Mohaloya approaches, Bengalis will undoubtedly go berserk for the approaching celebrations.
Why Is Durga Puja Celebrated?
Durga Puja is an auspicious five-day celebration that originated in the Indian subcontinent and pays respect to the goddess Maa Durga. It commemorates the triumph of good over evil when goddess Durga slew demon king Mahishasur. According to Hindu legend, the goddess comes to her earthly residence around this period to bless her worshippers. Durga Puja is very important to the Bengali people. Nevertheless, it is also often seen in other states like Assam, Odisha, Bihar, Tripura and Jharkhand.
Maa Durga’s Homecoming
Durga Maa’s voyage to Earth starts with the conclusion of the Pitri Paksha when individuals give tribute to their ancestors. She sets off with her children, Kartik-Ganesh and Saraswati-Lakshmi, for her paternal house on Earth. The return of Goddess Durga is celebrated with much grandeur and excitement. And she is worshipped for four days before saying goodbye. Surprisingly, the powerful, beautiful, and revered Mother Durga starts her journey on a vehicle. These vehicles change from year to year. And each vehicle has its significance. They will define the status of the world.
Mahalaya: Mahishasur’s Death
The festival includes many different traditions and legends about why Durga is worshipped at this time of year. It is mostly celebrated by Bengalis to commemorate Goddess Durga’s triumph over the evil Mahishasur. The magnificent Durga statue has Mahishasur at her feet and is being slaughtered by the all-powerful Goddess. Mahishasur was a monarch who had been bestowed with the gift of invincibility by Lord Brahma. He prayed for a desire to never die after much penance. He said that he should not be slain by a man or an animal. Lord Brahma granted him his desire, and rightfully so.
Mahishasur also claimed to be very proud and to have felt that he could never be murdered by a woman. Mahishasur, filled with arrogance and the gift of immortality, assaulted the heavens, the realm of the Gods. To counteract Mahishasur’s might, Durga was formed by merging the forces of the three Lords of the Universe – Vishnu, Brahma and Maheshwar. The other Gods then gave her weapons to combat the evil. Durga battled the wicked demon for ten days before eventually stabbing Mahishasur with a trident on the last day. And with that, the conflict is over. Hence, Durga Puja is connected with the mighty Goddess’ triumph over the wicked beast Mahishasur.
The End of Ravana By Rama
It is claimed that the best time to worship the Goddess is in the spring. This premature devotion of the mighty Goddess is done, however, since Lord Rama worshipped her to seek favor before fighting Ravan. Lord Rama performed the devotion, also known as Akal Bodhan, to defeat Ravana. According to mythology, it was critical to get the blessings of Goddess Durga, who had already blessed the wicked monarch. It is also said that no one could have killed the King of Lanka without the permission of Durga.
After this, Lord Rama began Hers’ untimely adoration and even got her blessings. When Lord Rama needed one bluer lotus to fulfil the number 108, he offered his eyes as the last flower. The Goddess then came in front of Him and blessed him. Ultimately, on the last day of Navratri, known as Vijaya Dashami, Rama kills Ravana.
Five Must-Visit Durga Pandals In Kolkata
In India, it is always Puja season. Durga Puja Pandals are vibrantly adorned with distinct themes and wonderfully decorated idols of the feminine Goddess Durga throughout India. The auspicious Durga Puja is celebrated for five days with the puja of gorgeous idols of Goddess Durga, delicious dishes, ornamental lighting and excellent cuisine, as well as the exchange of gifts among family. These are five must-sees Durga Puja Pandals in Kolkata to explore India’s unique cultural variety.
Ekdalia Evergreen Durga Puja Park Club: Located near Gariahat, Ballygunge, it is renowned among devotees of the strong Goddess Durga. This pandal is noted for its remarkable artwork and is renowned for its unique presentation. The puja here mimics some of India’s most iconic temples, uniting India’s cultural variety under one roof. The Lady Durga idol is awe-inspiring, igniting hope and providing strength to her devotees. Lady Durga devotees line up early in the morning to access the pandal. Every year, the Ekdalia Evergreen Park Club has something fresh in store for Lady Durga devotees.
Pally Puja Pandal at Santoshpur Lake: The splendour of the Durga Puja Pandal at Santoshpur, Kolkata, is a must-see for everyone. Santoshpur Lake Pally Durga Puja Pandal is said to be the most expensive Durga Puja Pandal in town. The brilliance and magnificence of the Durga Puja idol here is a feast for the eyes. Subhamita Dinda, a sculptor and painter from Kolkata, produced the Lady Durga statue. The idol of Lady Durga is fashioned out of sandstone and is covered in a 24-carat gold overlay. The exquisite Santosh Lake Pally Puja Pandal was designed by artist Aditi Chakraborty.
Tarun Dal Sarbojonin Durgotsob: Situated at Kolkata’s South Dum Dum, it is a one-of-a-kind pandal with a lively showcase of India’s prismatic variety. The premise of this Durga Puja Pandal is fusion. Tarun Dal Sarbojonin Durgostab, a traditional landmark, is combined with a modern design. Warli paintings are combined with Rajasthani mirror craftsmanship.
Singhi Park Sarbojanin Durgotsab: It was established in 1941. A team of artists from Singhi Park Sarbojanin Durgotsab inspected the temple in the district of Banaskantha to examine the architectural design of the temple. Singhi Park Sarbojanin Pandal is famous for its enormous statue of Lady Durga, which stands 50 feet tall and occupies 3000 square feet. Gujarat Tourism Board is collaborating with this puja pandal.
Bagbazaar Sarbojanin Durgotsav: It is Kolkata’s oldest Durga Puja Pandal and is renowned for its artistically adorned idols of Lady Durga as well as its colourful Durga Puja Pandal. This Pandal’s major emphasis is Bengal’s rich cultural and traditional history. The Bagbazaar Sarbojanin Durgotsav, which is uniquely created, hosts an exhibition with the Durga Puja Pandal. Bagbazaar Sarbojanin Durgotsav is situated in North Kolkata, near Bagbazar Launch Ghat.
Wrapping Up
Every year, Durga Puja pandals in Kolkata have new themes that are unique and innovative in their manner. The Durga puja in Kolkata is well-known around the globe, and it was recently included in UNESCO’s representative list of the world’s intangible cultural heritage. If you visit Kolkata during the Durga Puja festival, you would understand why the city is known as the City of Joy. Although Durga Puja is celebrated grandly around the globe, Kolkata celebrates it with the greatest passion.
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