Kolkata’s Durga Puja celebrations are renowned nationwide. The extravagant decorations, impeccable installations, and magnificent creations represented during Bengalis’ grand festival seem impossible if someone does not witness their glory IRL. Such is our dedication to welcoming Maa Durga and passion for presenting West Bengal’s most creative art forms and artisans. One of this year’s most unique Durga Puja pandals is at Jagat Mukherjee Park. Add this must-visit spot to your pandal-hopping list ASAP.
Jagat Mukherjee Park Celebrates Durga Puja With Underwater Metro-Themed Pandal
Apart from the iconic Durga Puja festivities, the City of Joy is known for operating India’s first metro railway. If you are a nerd about metro establishments nationwide, you must know about Kolkata’s underwater metro providing smooth services. This Durga Puja, North Kolkata’s Jagat Mukherjee Park recreated Kolkata’s East-West Metro Line’s Howrah Maidan station.
This celebrated pandal is perfectly equivalent to the phrase “Don’t judge a book by its cover.” The outer structure built here looks more like a painting of the Howrah Bridge and the Hooghly River. Truth be told, I was a bit sceptical about standing in a long queue to enter the pandal. A major crowd waiting outside persuaded me to join the line more than the exterior decor.
Well, Jagat Mukherjee Park surely proved me and other people with the same thoughts wrong with enigmatic and extraordinary interiors. From the journey to enter inside to walking on a vibrated train to reaching close to Maa Durga’s idol, the picturesque surroundings impressed me. Exploring the pandal felt like being present in a blue world surrounded by pristine water, silver artwork, and a wonderful representation of art all around.
A Step Inside Kolkata’s Famous Metro
Artisans constructed the makeshift metro coach magnificently. In addition to wide windows, grip handles, station lists, bright lights, and seats, it has beautiful elements to portray the real metro structure. What many visitors like the most about this pandal is the slowly vibrating coach resembling a real-life metro running underwater.
As soon as you walk outside this temporary coach, you will see a pair of escalators on your right, just like the ones we see at all metro stations. The most breathtaking highlight of the pandal awaits after you take a few steps. A beautiful idol of Maa Durga donning a red saree and jewellery has been placed on a lotus with silver frill-like designs hanging on top. I loved the placement of Maa’s children, Lakshmi, Saraswati, Ganesha and Kartikeya, and the lion on a boat. They are sitting in front of her adoring her magnificence.
Arcs carved and decorated splendidly surrounding the idols look extraordinary. Whenever you plan to explore North Kolkata, visiting Jagat Mukherjee Park is a must.
Cover Image Courtesy: Shreya Ghosh
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