Durga Puja is one of the most major events in the life of any Bengali. But although many people absolutely love the Puja in Kokata, it has got some characteristically beautiful moments in Delhi too. I have spent the majority of my time in Delhi’s Durga Pujas and they have formed an essential part of my childhood. The Pujas used to be a five day extravaganza of escaping from studies, hanging out with friends and having some awesome street food.
The nucleus of all these activities used to be the Pandal where we used to hang out all day long. For a studious kid like me, this was the most gangsta thing he was ever gonna do. During the five day long Pujo, one of the most fun activities I used to do was to serve Bhog to everyone. Carrying out buckets of Khichdi, Labraa, Payesh and Chutney, it was one of the most interesting activities of my day. The evenings used to be a medley of cultural events including skits by us kids and songs by some established artists.
To enjoy the true flavour of Bengali, here are few of the Durga Puja that you must check out
Kashmere Gate
Delhi Durga Puja Samiti, also known as the Kashmere Gate Durga Puja is the oldest Durga Puja (festival) of Delhi. It is currently held in the lawns of Bengali Sr Sec School, Alipur Road, Delhi. This pandal attempts to be as close to the traditional forms of celebrations as possible. Thus, the pandal is crafted in classical design and decorated in silver and gold. The idol is simple and harks back to a different era. And the organizers take the idol for immersion on a bullock cart attracting thousands of devotees on the day of the immersion.
Where: A mere 750 m away from the Civil Lines metro station, it shouldn’t take you more than three minutes to get to this pandal located opposite the Indraprastha College for Women in Civil Lines.
Safdarjung Enclave
The Safdarjung Enclave Durga Puja Pandal is run by the folks of the Matri Mandir Samity. Artistes from Kolkata are specially invited to construct the idol at this pandal. What makes the Safdarjung Enclave Durga Puja Pandal unique is that each year the pandal is modeled after a popular Indian temple. The decorations and the ambience of the pandal are as much of an attraction as the Durga idol that it contains. Rituals are performed here every day and attract thousands of devotees.
Where: A little over two km from the Green Park metro station, it shouldn’t take you more than 10 minutes to reach this pandal that is located in the B-2 block of Safdarjung Enclave.
Minto Road
One of the most well-known Durga Puja pandals in Delhi is the one at Minto Road. The Minto Road Pandal is best known for its bonedi pujo as well as the pushpanjali or the ritual of the offering of flowers. Also famous for the Dhununchi Naach (a traditional dance performed during Durga Puja), the Minto Road pandal is one of the oldest pandals in Delhi. In 2014, the Minto Road Durga Puja Pandal completed 75 years.
Where: It shouldn’t take you more than 10 minutes from Rajiv Chowk metro station to this pandal that is located near Deen Dayal Upadhyay Marg
New Delhi Kali Bari
While the celebrations were initially held on Baird Road (present-day Bangla Sahib Road) where the temple was initially located they moved to Mandir Marg where the temple moved in the early ‘30s. Quite like the Kashmere Gate Pandal, the celebrations at the Delhi Kali Bari pandal are very traditional. Puja rituals at the New Delhi Kali Bari have remained unchanged since 1936 and to this very day the pandal organizes competitions in Rabindra sangeet and recitation!
Where: Just a little over a kilometer away from the Ramkrishna Ashram Marg metro station, it shouldn’t take you more than four minutes to get to this pandal located in Gole Market on Mandir Marg.
Arambagh Durga Puja Pandal
When they celebrated its silver jubilee in 2013, the Arambagh Durga Puja Samity was rumored to have spent a whooping 1 crore for the pandal that resembled a Buddhist Gompa. A golden mandapa, a few thonkas and Buddhist prayer wheels were incorporated in the design of the pandal that year. This is one of the big-budget pandals in town and promises to dazzle this year too.
Where: Approximately 800 m away from the Ramkrishna Ashram Marg metro station, it shouldn’t take you more than four minutes to reach this pandal located on Panchkuian road
Kali Bari, Mayur Vihar
The Mayur Vihar Kali Bari pandal is arguably one of the most popular one in the city. Like most Durga Puja pandals, this one also serves some lip-smacking bhog around mid-noon. Be there on time and you won’t be disappointed.
Where: About two km away from the Mayur Vihar Phase 1 metro station, it shouldn’t take you more than eight minutes to get to this pandal located in Pocket 2 of Mayur Vihar Phase 1.
Chittaranjan Park
Known as the mini-Bengal of Delhi, Chittaranjan Park is every Bengali’s home away from home. With four pandals in CR Park, the organizers have been at it for over 37 years. Singers and bands from around the country vie to perform here each year and food stalls compete for your attention even as the place comes alive with young women and men turning up in their traditional best.
Where: Approximately 15 minutes away from Nehru Place metro station (3 km), we suggest you leave your car behind since traffic can be at quite a high around the area during this time.
Paschim Vihar
The Paschim Vihar Durga Puja is one of the most well known Puja pandals that you must check out. Not only is the idol extremely beautiful, the stalls outside allow you some of the best food that you can find.
Indirapuram
Although the Aponjon Durga Puja Samiti is quite a new one, it deserves a place on the list because this is the one I pledge my allegiance to. You shouldn’t only find me serving some decadent bhog for you, the evening celebrations are pretty good too.
Where: Around 20 minutes from the Vaishali Metro Station, this one is located right opposite the Indirapuram Habitat Centre.
Let us know which Puja are you visiting this festive season?
