Kalke Mahalaya! The auspicious occasion of Mahalaya marks the holy beginning of Devi Paksha and also signifies the final awaiting days to welcome Maa Durga and her four children; Goddess Lakshmi, Goddess Saraswati, Lord Ganesha, and Lord Kartikeya. And with this, our excitement for Durga Puja skyrockets as well. This is the time when Bengalis are searching for the best pandals and planning to visit them all. Well, if you are new in Kolkata and want to experience the festival in the best way, here’s the perfect guide.
Must-Visit Durga Puja Pandals In Kolkata
The first and most important thing that needs to be on your Durga Puja itinerary is the list of pandals to explore. There are hundreds of great Puja pandals to explore every year. Unfortunately, it gets hectic and impossible to visit all with the intense crowd and long queues. Well, we have curated a list for you that has most of the must-visit pandals of the City of Joy.
Also read: Durga Puja And Ash Gourd: How This Vegetable Became A Sacrificial Offering To Maa
North Kolkata:
- Ahiritola Sarbojanin Durgotsab
- Baghbazar Sarbojanin Durgotsav
- College Square
- Hatibagan Nabinpally Sarbojanin Durgotsav
- Hatibagan Sarbojanin
- Kumartuli Park Puja Pandal
- Mohammad Ali Park
- Santosh Mitra Square Durga Puja Pandal
- Sovabazar Rajbari
- Tala Park Prattay
- Sreebhumi Sporting Club (located on the northern fringes of the city)
South Kolkata:
- Badamtala Ashar Sangha
- Chetla Agrani Club
- Deshapriya Park
- Ekdalia Evergreen Club
- Hindustan Park
- Jodhpur Park
- Mudiali Club
- Santoshpur Lake Pally
- Singhi Park
- Suruchi Sangha
- Tridhara Sammilani
Dum Dum Area:
- Dum Dum Park Bharat Chakra
- Dum Dum Park Sarbojanin
- Dum Dum Park Tarun Sangha
Install ‘The Sharodotsav’ mobile app right now as it provides detailed information about Durga Puja pandals.
What Is The Preferred Mode Of Transportation?
Now that you are sorted with the pandals to visit this year, let’s come to the transportation facilities. Travelling in private cars or bikes is a big NO-NO! Most of the roads do not allow private vehicles and you will simply need to park your car somewhere far away. Also, some roads may allow you to drive your own vehicle but you will need to park it somewhere far away before entering the Puja pandal.
There are massive lines in front of famous pandals and pandal committees do not permit parking cars to avoid any sort of congestion. So bid adieu to your own cars and bikes and opt for buses and autos these days. Our recommendation is travelling on metros. Kolkata metro is super convenient and the stops are also close to major Puja pandals. Also, remember that getting a cab can be a task, especially during the major rush. You might need to wait a lot more than usual to get the cab.
Also read: From Sreebhumi To Ahiritolla Sarbojonin, Mamata Banerjee Inaugurates Durga Puja Pandals Virtually
Do not take the risk of travelling and exploring alone during Durga Puja. Many roads are often diverted and all these can be confusing for someone new in the city. West Bengal Tourism Department Corporation comes up with tours every year and you can join these to explore the city. In fact, you can even go on a walking tour around the city.
Wear Something Comfortable!
Yes, we know that we shop for so many beautiful outfits for Durga Puja but wearing something uncomfortable may turn out to be a problem. Outfits won’t be much of an issue but selecting proper shoes is a NECESSITY. Comfortable shoes are a must as you will need to walk long distances during pandal hopping. Also, make sure you carry some Band-Aid in case of shoe bites.
What About Bhuribhoj On Durga Puja?
Pujo will not seem completely like pujo without relishing a feast of delectable delicacies, especially Bangali khabar. For street food, you will get uncountable stalls sitting everywhere. From momo to phuchka to chicken roll, you will get hundreds of dishes to enjoy. If you are in the mood to visit the most famous restaurants in the city, tap here.
Park Street is extremely popular for Kolkata’s renowned restaurants. You can directly head to this place and choose your restaurant according to your cuisine preferences.
Also read: Durga Maha Ashtami Pushpanjali: Why Is It The Most Important Anjali Offered During Durga Puja?
Also, if you want to devour only Bengali cuisine, these are our top recommendations.
- 6 Ballygunge Place
- Hatari
- Kasturi
- Koshe Kosha
- Saptapadi Restaurant
Sindoor Khela & Bhasan!
Women performing Boron and enjoying Sindoor Khela is a popular tradition. After these celebrations, the time comes to bid adieu to Maa Durga and her entourage. Later, all the idols are immersed in the water. The procession and carnival are always an extravagant sight to witness.
Durga Puja is an emotion for Bengalis and we start waiting for these days once again from Doshomi. We hope this guide helps you to plan your Kolkata’s Durga Puja itinerary.
Cover Image Courtesy: Canva
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