Top Pandals to Visit During Durga Puja 2023 in Kolkata

The rush has already begun. The Durga Puja Festival in Kolkata for 2023 is just a few days away, and the festive mood among the Bengalis is palpable. This year, Durga Puja in Kolkata will commence on the 15th of October and conclude on the 24th. It’s a time of mass gatherings, when Bengalis (“BONGS”) from different parts of the world travel to reunite with family and friends, amplifying the joyous atmosphere.

City would be decked in Vibrant colors where the sparkling lights all around would not only brighten the darkest corner but also brighten your heart. It’s the time to see people in traditional clothing, it’s the time to see people dance to the rhythm of dhol beats.

During the Durga Puja Festival, Kolkata explodes with more than thousand thematic and colorful pandals and reveals several forms of goddess Durga idols, thus pulling in a huge number of crowds and making it one of the biggest autumn festivals in the world.

The popularity and cultural importance of Durga pooja is such that in 2020, the Government of India nominated Durga Puja for UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH).

This blog gives you a glimpse of some of the best pandals that you must visit during the Durga Puja festival in Kolkata this 2023.

• Santosh Mitra Square
• Bagbazar
• College Square
• Hindustan Park
• Hindustan Club
• Samaj Sebi Sangha
• Ballygunge Cultural Association Puja Pandal
• Deshapriya Park
• Kumartuli Park
• Ahiritola Sarbojanin Durgotsav
• Telengabagan Sarbojanin Durgotsab
• Dum Dum Park, Tarun Sangha
• Lake Town Adhibasi Brinda
• Sikdar Bagan Sadharan Durga Puja
• Nalin Sarkar Street Sarbojanin Durgotsab
• Mohammad Ali Park Durga Puja
• Manicktala Chaltabagan Lohapatty Durga Puja
• Ekdalia Evergreen Club
• Singhi Park Sarbojanin Durgotsab
• Mudiali Club
• Tridhara Sammilani Puja
• Shib Mandir Sarbajanin Durgatsab
• Bosepukur Sitala Mandir
• Naktala Udayan Sangha Puja
• Babubagan Club Sarbojanin Durga Puja
• Badamtala Ashar Sangha
• Suruchi Sangha
• Jodhpur Park Puja Pandal

Kolkata Durga Puja Festival Calender Date 2023

Find the important dates below for the 2023 Kolkata Bengali Durga Puja festival rituals-

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Santosh Mitra Square Durga Puja Pandal

Hosting Durga Puja for more than 80 years, Santosh Mitra Square is definitely a popular name when it comes to best Durga Puja pandals in Kolkata.

If you remember, in 2017 this pandal became extremely popular by choosing the London Theme. In which Goddess Durga was seen in a Buckingham Palace like setting.

This year too, the committee has decided to do something that can pull a huge crowd despite the darkness spread by Covid 19. Durga idol artist Mintu Pal confirmed that this year the idol of Durga is going to be traditional. Due to the pandemic, they are not experimenting so much but the festive mood and enthusiasm will be the same as before.

College Square Durga Puja Pandal

Located on College Street, which is some 1.5 long, College Square boasts a picturesque setting for hosting a must see Durga Puja Pandals in Kolkata. Established in 1948, this square sits on the bank of a lake and when during the Durgotsav the entire place is festooned with lights, the place looks absolutely surreal.

The pretty reflection is something nobody wants to miss out on, and thus, you’d see College Square jam-packed.

In 2023, it will be the 77th year of Durga Pooja celebration but due to the horror of the third wave of Pandemic the organizers and locals have decided to keep the pandal smaller compared to that of previous years. The idol of goddess Durga will be less than 10 ft in height and the covid guidelines laid by the government will be strictly followed.

Bagbazar Durga Puja Pandal

In North Kolkata along the river, Bagbazar enjoys a great location. Reckoned to be the one of the oldest Durga Pujo pandals in the city, it boasts being the venue for about a century.

Since the place has been in existence for such a long period, it naturally has the liking amongst the locals who come here to witness the famous Bagbazar Sarbojanin Durgotsav & Exhibition.

One can relish the traditional ways of Puja here along with simple decor that takes back one in time. A carnival takes place here during the Durgotsav when one can also enjoy various rides and eat to their heart’s content.

Hindustan Park Durga Puja Pandal

This Puja Pandal is known for drawing a large number of people during Durgotsav each year, the reason being its gorgeous themes. The place has been hosting the Puja Pandal from around 1932 and ever since has been able to grab the attention of the people. It is one of the most beautiful puja pandals in Kolkata.

Each year, you would have an interesting theme, which is meticulously chosen and skillfully incorporated on Durgotsav. This year the celebration would not be on a grand scale but the enthusiasm and festive mood would surely be delightful.

Hindustan Club Durga Puja Pandal

On Sarat Bose Road, Hindustan Club has been a famous landmark in Kolkata. The club is also popular for hosting Durga Pujo in the traditional manner with themes that win hearts.

Each year, the club tries to come up with an interesting theme which is successful in drawing a large mass to it. As per the guidelines the devotees will be able to see the idol from a distance.

You can take plenty of pictures if you are enjoying Durga Puja. It is one of the best things to do. Clicking Pictures of beautiful idols is once in a lifetime opportunity as the idols and the theme change every year. So, Durga Puja Pandal photography is a must.

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Samaj Sebi Sangha

Situated on Lake View Road in South Kolkata, Samaj Sebi Sangha is known for its traditional themes. The Sangh is also known to incorporate social messages in their themes like women empowerment and right parenting and in the pandal interiors one can get the glimpse of it clearly.

Every year Durga Puja is celebrated here with a great pomp and show and their main aim is to spread the message of love and kindness. This year the celebration will be on a low scale keeping in mind the safety of people from the pandemic.

Ballygunge Cultural Association

Ballygunge too is popular in Kolkata for its simple and traditional Durga Puja. The pandal can be visited on Jatin Das Road which is off the Southern Avenue and the Rashbehari Avenue.

The setting here is likely to take you into yesteryear celebrations when the devotion and love for the goddess was even more.

This is one of the most famous Durga puja Pandals of Kolkata that you should not miss. The preparations of the puja have already started during Rath Yatra.

Deshapriya Park Durga Puja Pandal

Known for its spectacular Durga Puja, Deshapriya Park is indeed one Puja Pandal you cannot miss in Kolkata. It is a must see Durga Puja Pandals in Kolkata as it is known to impress people year after year with its unique themes like the one of the White Temple of Thailand in the year 2017.

Even though in 2015 the Pandal had to be closed down after a stampede, in the last two years, it has again got its popularity back.

The idol of the goddess Durga was 88ft and had been touted as the largest idol in the world.  It is one of the most hyped Durga Puja Pandals in Kolkata.

Kumartuli Park Puja Pandal

One of the prominent Durgatsab in Kolkata that is held in North Kolkata, close to Sovabazar Ferry, the Kumartuli Park Durgotsab showcases a fusion of old-fashioned grandeur and art. The idols this year will be around 12 ft. The style of architecture will display every aspect of traditional Indian culture and draw huge crowds from different parts of the city.

The Kumartuli Park Durgotsab committee manages to preserve its social and cultural milieu being in one of the oldest localities of Kolkata and home to hundreds of artisans.

Kumartuli, with its narrow maze of lanes and alleyways, is a settlement of hundreds of potters/artisans who earn their livelihood by sculpting idols for the various festivals.

Further, it is to be noted that idols of goddess Durga and other deities sculpted by the potters of Kumartuli are also exported to Canada, US, UK and South East Asian countries for the Durga Puja Festival.

Ahiritola Sarbojanin Durgotsav Puja Pandal

Close to Kumartuli Park is another popular Durgatsab in Kolkata, the Ahiritola Sarbojanin Durgotsab. It is to be noted that the Ahiritola Sarbojanin Durgotsab is one of the “barowari types Durga puja” and is pioneer in the field of organizing Durga Puja festival, bringing in a traditional and musical extravaganza.

Being one of the heritages samity (committee) since 1940, the Ahiritola Sarbojanin Durgotsab manages to attract people from different cross-sections seeking to explore the blend of thematic and colourful pandal structure and distinct style of goddess Durga idol and other deities.

It also organizes various musical and dance programs – classical and western, and also participates in social activities like organizing Blood Donation Camp, Health Camp, Eye Cure Camp, Free Distribution of Medicine, Free Distribution of Books and contributes generously in the Minister’s Relief Fund when the situation arises.

Further, if you are enthusiastic about the traditional beat of Dhaki then just hop into Ahiritola Sarbojanin Durgotsab.

Over the years, the Ahiritola Sarbojanin Durgotsab Samity has won several awards in the category of best Dhaki and other categorical awards by Asian Paints Sharod Samman, Zee Bangla, Karukrit, Anandabazar and Kolkata Municipal Corporation.

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Telengabagan Sarbojanin Durgotsab

Keeping on to the Arabinda Sarani that connects the Ultadanga Main Road, from Ahiritola Sarbojanin Durgotsab now we head towards the Telengabagan Sarbojanin Durgotsab.

Over the years the Telengabagan Sarbajanin Durgatsab samity has tried to bring a trenchant chapter of Indian history and culture through its intrinsically designed pandals, interior works and different forms of goddess Durga and other deities sculpted distinctly.

Every year the Telengabagan Sarbajanin Durgatsab samity has managed to receive several awards in different categories and thus emerged as one of the must visit Durga Pujas in Kolkata 2023.

 Dum Dum Park, Tarun Sangha

If one wants to see the magic of sheer creativity and social concern then Dum Dum Park Tarun Sangha Durga Puja is a must visit during the Durga Puja festival in Kolkata.

A variety of themes and abstract forms of art flare up every year that have managed to seize the mind of visitors and treat their eyes with vibrant colors.

According to Dum Dum Park Tarun Sangha Durga Puja samity… color enhances the festive mood and hence their most important ornament for Puja Pandal is the display of brilliant colors.

Moreover, they also bring off a distinct form of goddess Durga idol that holds a contrasting feature with the thematic and colorful ambiance.

The Dum Dum Park Tarun Sangha Durga Puja samity is going to come up with a promising and colorful theme, thus be ready to witness an increasing number of crowds. Like 2020 this year too, the celebration will be on a very low scale to avoid the wasteful expenditure.

Lake Town Adhibasi Brinda Puja Pandal

Bringing up a homely environment through an illustrious subject, the Lake Town Adhibasi Brinda Durgatsab is all geared up to celebrate Durga Puja this year as well. It is yet another barari type Durga Puja that was initiated in the year 1963 by the residents of this locality.

In contrast to other popular Durga puja pandals in Kolkata, the Lake Town Adhibasi Brinda Durgatsab does not go for huge artificial structures. Still the architectural work maintains themes like social awareness, pilgrimage, rural and current events along with a distinct and traditional form of goddess Durga idol.

The samity for years has preserved its social and cultural side engaging in the maintenance of parks for children. The members also organize cultural programs like song, dance, drama and recitation. Throughout the year they arrange blood donation camps, health checkups, and provide financial help to the poor.

 Sikdar Bagan Sadharan Durga Puja Pandal

Right away you are in one of the oldest Durga Puja in Kolkata, the Sikdar Bagan Sadharan Durga Puja. The Sikdar Bagan Sadharan Durga Puja offers a unique dose of culture and a century old tradition that one can easily notice in its various forms of goddess Durga idol every year.

The major attraction of Sikdar Bagan Sadharan Durga Puja remains the pratima herself (idol of goddess Durga) as the samity directs much attention to show their skill and creativity on the sculpture of goddess Durga.

Due to shortage of space, the samity tries to keep the pandal structure simple… yet enough to create a vibrant ambiance with decorative lights and smart interior works. The Sikdar Bagan Sadharan Durga Puja, since the last decade, has prospered as one of the prominent Durgatsab in Kolkata… which is worth a visit.

Nalin Sarkar Street Sarbojanin Durgotsab

Nalin Sarkar Street Sarbojanin Durgatsab has welled up classically in the competition over a decade. Their theme usually correlates between nature and heritage and their entire pandal and the idol of the Goddesses are made up of assorted pottery work… that remains the major attraction.

Every year the samity tries to uphold the simplicity of Maa Durga’s idol, which adds glory to the colorful and artistic ambience. Close to Sikdar Bagan Sadharan Durgotsav and other popular Durga Pujas in North Kolkata… the Nalin Sarkar Street Sarbojanin Durgotsab is a must visit during the Durga Puja festival in Kolkata in 2023.

The samity, even though lacking in space, walked away with several awards including the Best Artisan award by Asian Paints Sharad Samman in the year 2004, 2006 and 2010.

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Mohammad Ali Park Durga Puja Pandal

One of the popular Durga Pujas of North Kolkata that one must visit is the Mohammad Ali Park Durga Puja that is held every year and showcases magnificent architecture.

Since its inception the Mohammad Ali Park Durga Puja samity has tried to bring out several replicas of monuments – explored and unexplored – from all over the world… and dioramas of ancient literature.

The samity, even though it follows the changing trend of architecture and style, has preserved its age-old culture and tradition, which reflects through the artistic work.

The interior and exterior decoration of the Pandal that details the theme is always a treat to the eye. The venue further features a simple illumination but the entire park area decks up with dazzling and colorful lighting.

The Mohammad Ali Durga Puja Samity has won several awards in different categories and hence it is also considered as one of the prestigious Durga Puja in Kolkata.

Manicktala Chaltabagan Lohapatty Durga Puja

The Manicktala Chaltabagan Lohapatty Durga Puja has bagged a myriad of honours and awards in various categories like Best Puja in the year 1997 and Best Artisan in the year 2002 by Asian Paints Sharad Samman.

It is yet another prestigious Durga Puja in Kolkata that was started in the year 1943 when a young, determined boy (the founder president Shri Lakhi Chand Jaiswal and now 87 years elderly person) dreamt of celebrating Durga Puja at his locality.

As years passed and efforts multiplied… The Manicktala Chaltabagan Lohapatty Durga Puja witnessed a mass gathering on its Golden Jubilee Year in 1992 and then the craze started in 2006.

The samity over the years has maintained its tradition of creating a distinct environment during the Durga Puja festival in Kolkata… bashing the festive mood with Dhaki competition, Dhunuchi dance and Sindoor khela.

 Ekdalia Evergreen Club Puja Pandal

They keep it simple yet make it worth visiting every year… the interior and exterior work of the pandal simply brings up the ancient forms of art and replicas of world heritage sites.

Likely in 2011 the Ekdalia Evergreen Club Durgotsab Samity represented a theme based on a German village, in 2012 they brought up the Golden Temple in Vellore and in 2013 they kept it simple based on a traditional Indian temple.

But the most interesting aspect of Ekdalia Evergreen Club Durgotsab is that they preserve their age-old form of traditional Durga pratima… which marks a distinct feature from any other noted Durga Puja in Kolkata.

Singhi Park Sarbojanin Durgotsab

Close to the Ekdalia Evergreen Club Durgotsab stands one of the heritages Durga pujas in Kolkata, the Singhi Park Sarbojanin Durgotsab which has upheld the traditional way of worshipping the goddess Durga thereby carving its own identity.

The history of Singhi Park Durga Puja dates back to 1941 and it will be a proud occasion when it cuts the ribbon to mark the 74th year of Durga Puja celebration in 2015.

The association over the years has always come up with innovative pandal structures while preserving its lighting from Chandannagar and traditional Ekchala pratima pattern.

The Singhi Park Sarbojanin Durgotsab has so far bagged several awards in different categories and thus it is one of the most famous pandals in Kolkata.

Mudiali Club Durga Puja Pandal

The Mudiali Club Durgotsab is yet another popular barowari Durga puja in South Kolkata; it has the distinction of winning the Asian Paints Sharad Samman Best Puja awards in the year 1988, 1990, 1992 and 1994.

The committee ensures that the glamour of the puja remains undiminished and an ideal joyous ambiance with traditional form of goddess Durga idol, creative pandal structure depicting social causes, current events, heritage OR ancient stories blooming with vivid colors and intrinsic décor.

In the year 2005 it unfolded the Mukteshwar Temple of Orissa that was made up of shola, in 2006 an imaginary designed Zamindar’s Rajbari, in 2007 rural Bengal that was followed by an imaginary temple design in 2008.

In the year 2009… they came up with a sandstone temple, followed by another temple design in 2010. In 2011… the “The Light of Life that Wires Bind, Will Shun the Darkness in our Mind ” theme depicted the world shabbier towards machine and technology and in 2012 they unfolded a traditional form of goddess Durga attired in gold.

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Tridhara Sammilani Puja Pandal

At the meeting point of three roads Rashbehari Avenue, Monohar Pukur Road, and Mahanirban Road stands another popular Durga Puja in South Kolkata, the Tridhara Sammilani Durgotsav.

But as the inner meaning goes it is the unique merging of the thoughts of the three generations- The Seniors, The Present and The Future Youth. It is also the fusion ground of Tradition, Culture and Social Activity.

Initiated in 1947 in a very homely and quiet ambiance… today it witnesses lakhs of visitors.

Every year the committee focuses on creative and innovative pandals and the journey brought forward a traditional Terracotta style of Bishnupur in 2007, replica of the Mantrasala of the Padmanabhapuram Palace of Kerala in 2008, replica of the Daksheshwar Mahadev Temple in 2009, ‘Brahmo’ in 2010 and a Rajasthani haveli in 2011. It is thus one of the best Durga Puja pandals in Kolkata to add in your Durga Puja Pandal List.

Shib Mandir Sarbajanin Durgatsab

One of the prominent Durgatsab in Kolkata is the Shib Mandir Sarbajanin Durgatsab that witnesses the highest number of crowds every year. It has bagged numerous awards in different categories including the Asian Paints Sharod Sanman.

Since 1999 the Shib Mandir Sarbajanin Durgatsab has emerged with several concepts. It unfolded the replica of terracotta art of Bisnupur in 1999, Maluti gram in 2000, Lord Buddha in 2001, 64-Yogini temple of Hirapur at Bhubaneswar in 2002, a colorful Monastery of hills in West Bengal in 2003, “Bankim bhabnay Shakti Puja” in 2004, “Jogs Aadhaar parnakutir” in 2005, Durga Puja-kaal theke ekaal in 2006 and ‘kalchakra-atiter remake’ in 2007.

In 2008 they projected the activity of Debi Durga – ‘Rupe Gune Durga’and in 2009 it was again a great success using banana skin and banana fiber as mode of decoration.

In 2010, Shibmandir captured the three incarnations of Mother Shakti – creator, preserver, and destructor. Their theme was based on “Save Tree, Save Environment.”

Bosepukur Sitala Mandir

Yet another multi-award winning Durgotsab in Kolkata is the Bosepukur Sitala Mandir that often depicts the rural picture of West Bengal in its thematic structure. It is one of the must see Durga Puja pandals in Kolkata.

The puja Pandal obviously will not shine but the happiness of the celebration will echo in the environment. The money used in Puja Pandals has been used in launching Covid 19 awareness drives which is a noble work. Due to the pandemic the celebration would be there but not with a great pomp and show.

Naktala Udayan Sangha Puja Pandal

Innovative, creative and vivid are elements that make the Naktala Udayan Sangha one of the best Durga Puja pandals in Kolkata. It demonstrates the impossibility in simplicity, through its distinct pandal architecture every year and brings up an indifferent form of goddess Durga idol.

Inaugurated in the year 1950… the Naktala Udayan Sangha slowly emerged as a barowari Durga Puja in South Kolkata and it came in the media highlights in 2003 when it turned up its homely ambiance to thematic.

The “PROJAPATI AI RONG MELE PAKHNA: Butterfly – Color of Life ” theme in 2012 set a new dimension of art in the Durga Puja festival in Kolkata that earned countless awards.

Babubagan Club Sarbojanin Durga Puja

Whenever it comes into existence at the time of the Durga Puja festival in Kolkata it creates a remarkable history with its majestic replica of heritage sites, ancient temples, buildings and villages.

The BabuBagan Club Sarbojanin Durga Puja is one of the popular Durga Pujas in South Kolkata, which stands close to Jadavpur Thana. It pulls in a huge crowd every year.

Initiated in the year 1962, the journey of this Sarbojanin Durga Puja club has been rewarding as it has received several awards including the Best Puja by Asian Paints Sharad Samman.

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Badamtala Ashar Sangha Puja Pandal

With standing over 75 years, the Badamtala Ashar Sangha has a special place in people’s hearts. From simplicity… The journey has seen the Samity win several awards and the creative excellence award by Asian Paints in 2010 was a remarkable break. Badamtala Ashar Sangha is now one of the few Durga pujas of Kolkata which has slowly and steadily made a permanent place in the hearts of millions.

Suruchi Sangha Puja Pandal

Suruchi Sangha entertains visitors with a cultural extravaganza and outdoor display, themed on a different state of India each year. The Durga idols are modeled on how they look in each state. Although this puja pandal is more than 50 years old, it first found fame in 2003 when it won an award for the best decorated pandal. It won the award again in 2009. The artwork is exquisite.

Jodhpur Park Puja Pandal

Jodhpur Park Durga puja pandal is one of the most popular pandals in south Kolkata. Its themes have been vast and varied, with it being more traditional in some years than others. Previous year the visitors were not allowed to enter the hall where the idols were kept and the live streams of puja proceedings were shown to the devotees. We hope this year things will change.

Durga Puja is an emotion, it’s a delight which will keep on giving joy and enthusiasm to the people no matter how grim and dull the darkness of the pandemic is. This delightful festival will always give hope and positive vibes. It is a festival of victory of good over evil. Come, let’s enjoy the festivities of Durga Puja by following all the safety guidelines.

Recent Changes in Durga Puja 2023 Celebration Due to Covid19

• General Secretary of the Forum for Durgotsav said that all organizers, artisans, priests and drummers should be vaccinated.
• Pandals will not be decorated on a grand scale and half of the funds will be used for social causes.
• Devotees might see the decoration, interiors and idols from outside.
• The puja committees will maintain safety and social distancing. People will be wearing masks covering the nose.
• For rituals like Pushpanjali, the cut fruits will not be allowed and physical distancing has to be maintained while performing the ritual.
• Puja committees will be focusing on digital presence to show people all the artworks from home.
• Project images with 3d effect will enable people to feel the bliss of Durga Puja from their home.

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