10 Most Popular Durga Puja Pandals of Kolkata

Every year people of Kolkata in West Bengal celebrate Durga festival with utmost devotion. The six day long celeberation that begins with Mahalaya concludes on the final day with Vijayadashami. No doubt Kolkata’s biggest and most awaited celebrations – Durga Puja has its own essence found nowhere. Decorated thematic pandals with beautiful life sized idols of Goddess Durga, sparkling lights, overcrowded streets, high spirited Bongs in their colourful traditional attire, aroma of freshly cooked Bengali delicacies wafting through the streets are true characteristics of Durga Puja in Kolkata.


Puja pandals with their unique and innovative themes and extravagant decorations, try to out do each other in a quest for the best. The spectacular fusion of the modern themes and decorations with the traditional rituals and customs followed during the celebration of this festival attracts hordes of visitors from within the country as well as from abroad. While it may not be possible for you to visit all the pandals in the city, here are some popular ones that are not to be missed.

Ekdalia Evergreen Club Puja Pandal

If you adore simplicity and uniqueness, head off straight to Ekdalia Evergreen Club in south Kolkata. It is renowned for its simple yet exotic and elaborate decorations and beautiful illumination and lightings. Various replicas of world heritage sites and traditional art forms are showcased through the mind-blowing interior and exterior decorations of the pandal. Be it the German Village, the Golden Temple or any Indian temple, you get to experience creativity at its best, with realistic ambience based on the chosen themes. A special and unique attraction of this pandal is the statue of the Goddess herself, being simple, serene, yet majestic and powerful. One can almost experience the calmness and positivity oozing from the traditional Durga pratima. The colourful illuminations and traditional music only add to its charm.

Dum Dum Park Tarun Sangha Puja Pandal

The first thing that comes to your mind on seeing the Dum Dum Park Tarun Sangha Durga Puja is colours. The spectacular use of vibrant colours adds more joy to the already joyous festival.  Various innovative themes and abstract art forms are brilliantly fused with liberal use of bright colours, leaving the visitors captivated by the beauty of all of it. Even the idol of the Goddess is decorated creatively, in accordance with the unique themes, of course, with a dash of bright colours. This colourful creativity adds to the pomp and excitement, lifting up people’s spirits, enhancing the festive mood. A must visit if you wish to experience the rich Indian traditions and celebrations, amidst a colourful ambience.

Mohammad Ali Park Puja Pandal

Mohammad Ali Park puja pandals are known for their exquisite architecture. They is known for enchanting replicas of artistic monuments from all over the world. Every year the architecture and style is different, however the decorations remain equally mesmerising and magnificent. The beautiful and attention grabbing display attracts huge crowds. Apart from the painstaking decorations and intricate details, pandals are known for their innovative themes and simple, yet strikingly beautiful image of the Goddess. The themes though unique reflect the rich and glorious Indian traditions. Sparkling lights and colourful illuminations throughout the park area prove a visual treat to the audience. A must visit for those who wish to experience a spectacular fusion of celestial beauty with architectural brilliance.

Suruchi Sangha Puja Pandal

The Suruchi Sangha in South Kolkata is renowned for its varied themes, revolving around various social issues thus helping bring about public awareness. With brilliant outdoor display, and exquisite artwork, it is no wonder that this pandal has managed to bag prizes, including the award for the best decorated pandal in the year 2003. A noteworthy highlight of this magnificent pandal is its theme based on a different state each year. Accordingly, the idols of Goddess Durga, are beautifully and artistically sculpted based on how they look in each state. Thus with dazzling artworks, thought provoking themes and the divine beauty of the idol of Goddess, the Suruchi Sangha manages to capture the hearts of its visitors who wish to immerse themselves in the beauty of this blissful experience.

Badamtala Ashar Sangha Puja Pandal

Badamtala Ashar Sangha in South Kolkata is known for its artistic creations and conveyance of various social messages through its innovative themes. The idol of Goddess Durga with her simple and unrivalled beauty and charm, manages to capture the hearts of millions of her devotees, who throng here to seek her blessings. Various unique themes related to preservation of art and culture of West Bengal and India as a whole, undertaken by the pandal have won various accolades, thus making it one of the most sought after pandals in Kolkata. A must visit to have a glimpse into the culture, tradition and creative excellence surrounding the City of Joy as it celebrates one of its most awaited festivals.

Singhi Park Puja Pandal

Singhi Park in South Kolkata is one of the most reputed, grandest and most visited pandals in Kolkata. A special feature of this pandal is that in contrast to the theme based pujas nowadays, this pandal is known for following the traditional customs and practices of worshiping Goddess Durga. It is also known for its quite innovative designs and pandal structures. The huge and colorful idol of Goddess Durga, with her ethereal beauty and an aura of tranquility manages to charm all her devotees. The lighting from Chandannagar and the traditional Ekchala pratima pattern are special highlights of this pandal. Do visit to experience the traditional style of puja and the soothing spiritual ambiance.

Kumartuli Park Puja Pandal

Near the Sobhabazar launch ghat is famous Kumartuli Park. Despite being one of the youngest pandals in Kolkata, Kumartuli Park in Kolkata is known for its spectacular fusion of traditional art with a touch of modern style, and architectural grandeur. The majestic idol of Goddess Durga with her ethereal beauty and charm is said to mesmerise her devotees.


Known for its innovative and out of the box themes, a visit to this pandal also entails a visit to the nearby lanes of Kumartuli that is home to hundreds of artisans, who earn their living by sculpting idols for festivals and you get to witness the hard work that goes into making these idols in the form remnants of casts, splashes of paints and other items used in making the idols. Do not forget to taste the lip smacking rosogullas, cham chams, mishti doi, hingara, kachoris and nimkis from the shacks in the street connecting Kumartuli and Ahiritola.

Bagbazar Puja Pandal

If Kumartuli Park is considered to be among the youngest pandals in Kolkata, Baghbazar is known to be one of the oldest ones. Situated near the Bagbazaar Kolkata Circular Railway Station, it is known to have been in existence for over 90 years. While Kumartuli Park is known for its creative themes, the Baghbazaar Sarbojanin Durgotsav is famous for its emphasis on Bengali culture and tradition. Various events such as culture, dance and art, craft are organised to keep alive the rich Bengali traditions. A must visit for those who love the Bong culture and who wish to experience the breath-taking beauty of Goddess Durga.

College Square Puja Pandal

College Square in Central Kolkata is known for its picturesque settings and enthralling ambience. Set besides a lake with beautiful illumination, this pandal charms one and all with its unrivalled magnificence. Visit during the night time to experience the beauty of the dazzling lights and their reflections, in the water of the lake, making the entire atmosphere aglow with joy, warmth and vibrance. Known for its grand scale celebrations and themes along with the traditional rituals, you get to experience here amidst the crowd and commotion, myriad emotions including happiness and devotion, love and excitement and an enthusiasm that is infectious. Do visit on the days of Ashtami for the special Bhog.

Bosepukur Sitala Mandir Puja Pandal

Bosepukur Sitala Mandir in South Kolkata is a pandal reputed for its innovative themes, designs and architecture. Whatever be the theme and concept, the idol of Ma Durga is exquisitely designed, and is shown to be an embodiment of power and strength and an eliminator of sorrows and sufferings. Another special feature of this pandal is that its decorations often depict the life in the rural areas of West Bengal. From building pandals entirely out of earthen pots to idols of Gods and Goddesses dressed in rural attire, this pandal is truly a storehouse of creativity and innovations. A must visit for those interested in experiencing divinity amidst rural backdrop.

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