Go Pandal Hopping this Durga Puja: Where to go in these 5 cities?

Festivity is in the air. The colours, the lights, the cheerful mood and the craze for loads of food and shopping makes this month a much awaited time in the whole year. Durga Puja is celebrated in whole of India with a lot of gaiety and grandeur. Larger than life idols of Durga, uniquely decorated Pandals, music and performances will take over all the cities.

So, where to go for the Puja fun this time of the year? We bring a list of 3 Pandals each from the following 5 cities, where you can explore the essence of Durga Puja in 2015.

Delhi

1. Chittarnjan Park (C.R Park)

Delhi’s very own “Mini Kolkata” in South Delhi, is host to some of the best Pandals. The ambience, authentic food, costume, music, language - everything will make you feel you are in Kolkata. It has multiple Pandals and you can hop from one to another in a day.

2. Kashmere Gate

The oldest Durga Puja Pandal in Delhi, which is happening since 1909, the celebrations here are more traditional. Situated in the North Delhi, go hear for classic Bengali cuisines and religious activities.

3.  New Delhi Kali Bari

In the heart of Delhi, the celebrations started in 1925 which continues till date. The Mandir Marg Kali Bari is known of its Dhaaki(Dholak) performance during the evening anjali(aarti) for which spectators come from all across India and abroad.

Image Source: Wikipedia

Kolkata

1. Suruchi Sangha (New Alipore)

It is the award winning Pandal in the “City of Joy” on two occasions for the “most well decorated Pandals”. Known for its creativity, the uniqueness lies in depicting the idol as different state theme symbolizing different cultures in India. They have already done Himachal Pradesh and Kashmir, this year the theme state is Tamil Nadu.

2.  Jodhpur Park (Jadhavpur Thana)

The Pandals here are famous for wide variety of culture themes. The huge magnitude at which it is done, makes it “Not to miss” every year. The first of its kind idol made on a 3D printer out of biodegradable materials was the highlight in 2014.

3. Bagbazaar (Bagbazaar launch ghat)

In an era, when lakhs and crores are being spent on the decorations of the Pandals, the Bagbazaar Pandal is still known for its minimalism and lack of grandiose decorations. A visit to this Pandal will take you back in the time when the only thing that mattered was simplicity.

Mumbai

1. North Mumbai Sarbojanin Durgotsav (Juhu)

In its 68^th year now, it was founded by the “Mukherjee” family and hence the Pandal is famous for the celebrity quotient. Friends and family of Bollywood’s beloved Kajol, Rani Mukherjee etc. attend the feast. It is a 5 days celebration at the Tulip Star hotel (from 18^th Oct) and witness many celebrity performances so, if you want to spot your favourite superstar along with being spiritual, then head to Juhu.

2. Shivaji Park (Dadar)

For over 80 years old, in the oldest Pandal in Mumbai, the highlight is the food court. You can pick a wide range of things from Bengali food & sweets to Bengali Sarees and Artefacts even though the Pandal is not too big or ostentatious but have a unique theme each year. This year the Pandal is modelled on the famous Kalighat temple in Kolkata.

3. Ramkrishna Mission Puja (Khar)

The traditional kumara puja is performed here, in which a 8 year old girl is dressed as Goddess Durga on Ashtmi and is made to sit on the throne. Thousands of people worship her with flowers and seek her blessings. Authentic bhog is served here in the afternoon.

Image Source: Rediff

Bangalore

1. Sri Sri Durga Puja (RBANM School ground, Sivanchetti Gardens)

In its 66^th year, the Puja organised by Bengalee Association Bangalore, this one is not just the biggest in the city but amongst the top 5 in India. With the expected footfall of over 25,000 people every day, it is going to be a splendid affair.

2. Sammad 2015 (Mangala Kalyana Mantapa, South Bangalore)

5 days of non-stop music, dance and band performances, this is going to be the most pleasurable Puja Pandal. Along with mouth-watering food and majestic idols, who minds some entertainment.

3. UTSAV Durgapuja (JP Nagar)

The major attraction is the cultural program. Utsav team comes up with innovative programs which are amalgamations of Bengali culture with Indian and Global culture to celebrate the arrival of goddess amongst people from all religions, regions and walks of life.

Image source: www.urbanbinge.com

Pune

1. .Kali Bari (Khadki)

The first puja was held in 1940s and the Kali Bari Samiti was established in 1980 and since then the puja is held in the temple. Every year artists from Kolkata work on the Durga idols. A lot of hard work is put in for a variety of Bengali cuisines and numerous performances.

2. .Nandanik Kalyani Nagar Puja (Koregaon Park)

Nandanik is a group of like-minded people united by the common cause of community building and supporting the physically challenged. Aarti, pushpanjali, bhojan and culture programs will be the highlights from 18^th – 23^rd October followed by Laksmi Puja on 26^th October.

3. Banga Bharati Durga Puja (Pimpri)

Established in 1976, Banga Bharati is association of people across Pimpri Chinchwad. From Panchmi (18^th October) to Sindoor Utsav (23^rd October), there will be daily dose of culture programs with bhog and aarti. Look forward to the delicacies from Bengal being served here.

Image Source: http://punedurgapujas.blogspot.in/