Durga Puja, the biggest festival of West Bengal is just around the corner. In fact, the spirit of the festival is very much tangible long before it actually begins. The city of Kolkata, especially, goes through a complete makeover during the Puja season. Literally it becomes the ‘City of Joy’. Every nook and corner is decorated with lights to celebrate the arrival of Maa Durga, with her children, Lakshmi, Saraswati, Kartika, and Ganesha. The city throbs with delight. No Bengali ( or as it is called nowadays, Bong) is there whose heart doesn’t leap up with pure joy during the Puja season.
The grandeur, the awesomeness of the festival makes the whole city a dreamland. You can see the exact replica of the Sahara desert here and there is the Titanic, at a stone’s throw, trembling with the swirl of artificial waves. A plethora of ‘themes’ and intricate decorations of ‘pandals’ are sure to make you gawk in wonder. From the tribal motifs to the terracotta statues, from the filigree art to the Pipli work of Odisha, these ‘pandals’ are helping to restore many lost arts and thereby providing financial help to the artisans and workers concerned.
The extreme south of Kolkata boasts of some exquisite and reputed Durga Pujas which are really a treat to the eyes.
The Ajeya Sanghati Club , (established 1963) is undoubtedly the crowning glory of the mentioned area. This year, they’ve designed and decorated their ‘pandal’ with earthen lamps or ‘diyas’. Millions of diyas, artificially lighted, has made the ambiance heavenly. Here are some exclusive pictures!
Naktala Udayan Sangha, an enigmatic Maa Durga , depiction of the force which stands against all odds. The theme here is ‘Titanic’. Artificial waves and swirls have been created withe the ingenious use of light and sound.
These are just a few glimpses! Visit Kolkata, the city of joy during the Pujas and it will surely be one of the most memorable of your visits.
HAPPY PUJA TO ALL. STAY BLESSED. 🙂
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hmmm… you know I was surprised when I came across a Bengali who does not eat fish, because that person was vegetarian… I like few things of your fork…your crazy for yummy, good food… most food has khus khus and mustard oil I guess… you guys have lot of things to unite you…but I got something you fish loving forks may like… “Alive without breath; As cold as death; Never thirsting, ever drinking; Clad in mail never clinking. Drowns on dry land, Thinks an Island Is a mountain; Thinks a fountain Is a puff of air. So sleek, so fair! What a joy to meet! We only wish To catch a fish, So juicy-sweet!”
Yes Durga Maa is worshiped in different forms in different culture… she a beautiful women but can vanquish demons…so sort of inspiring, but of what I see people depict her as a violent women too and make animal sacrifices to her…so I am scared of Durga too, she seems angry…but its good she will be happy in Kolkatta during Durga Puja
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Thank you so much for such a wonderful comment.
True, most of the Bengalis love fish, but of course, there are exceptions. 🙂
Durga Puja in Kolkata is a great festival…you will be amazed to see the city, hugely decorated and lighted…and, of course crazily crowded… 😀
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Vibrant captures and these pandals look very creative. Many times I and Vibha planned for Kolkata during Durga Pooja, but we are yet to execute it 🙂
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You should at least visit Kolkata once during this time. If you ever make a plan, do let me know, I’ll be glad to guide you 🙂
Thanks a lot for dropping by… 🙂
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Belated Shubho Bijoya Maniparna . Nice pictures.Happy deepavali.
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Thank you….belated subho bijoya to you too….. happy Kaali pujo and Deepabali… 🙂
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Shubho Bijoya and awesome clicks
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Thanks … belated subho bijoya…. 🙂
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Thanks Maniparna for helping me with a glimpse of Kolkata puja… I couldn’t make it this time… lovely shots… you click quite well! Idol of Naktola was unique… I’m sure you explored more of Kolkata… may be you can share them with us 🙂
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Thanks Anunoy…I’ve so many pictures to share 😛 you people will get bored for sure if I post all of them 😀
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I trust on your selection… I’m sure you’ll pick out the bestest ones for us 😛
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😀 thank you… *feeling confident* B-)
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Shubho Bijoya Maniparna 🙂 Haven’t been in Kolkata during durga puja in a very long time so thank you for sharing some pics 🙂
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Shubho Bijoya to you too 🙂 …nice to know that the photos were able to provide you some glimpses of Kolkata… 🙂
BTW, if you don’t mind, are you Bengali?
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Thank you and Yes, I am 🙂
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Glad to know that… 😀
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Wow! Lovely pics there. Beautiful. I somehow missed being a part of the Navrathri celebrations this year since I was occupied at work, but thanks to pics which people are sharing, am able to admire the pics! Thanks 🙂
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Oh! I hate working during festivals 😦 fortunately this year I had holidays… 🙂 Glad you like the pics… 🙂
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I feasted my eyes on the pictures. Thank you for sharing them.
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Thanks a lot Purba..nice to know you liked them… 🙂
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God! Devi’s idol looks very powerful and it’s beautiful. 🙂
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Thanks a lot…thanks too for stopping by… 🙂
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I love reading about other cultures. Thanks so much for sharing this.
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Glad to know you liked them… thank you… 🙂
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Beautiful. Wish you happy Durga puja.
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Thanks Maniparna for sharing Maa’s pics! Durga idol from Ajeya Sanghati Durga Pujo, reminds me of Goddess Ishtar from Ancient Babylon…really impressive!! Happy Puja!!
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A late reply..sorry for that…. you’ve pointed out a nice similarity… Wishing you a happy festive season ahead… 🙂
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Its alright…interestingly Istar and Durga are very similar…thanks for the wishes…wish you a brilliant Diwali
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It’s a visual treat. I like the diya idea, how very innovative. Beautiful shots!
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bright and beautiful 🙂
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Nice post about Durga Pooja… Happy Navratri and Dassehra ….
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Thank you and wish you the same… 🙂
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WHAT A PIC! Awesome! 🙂
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Typo sorry : WHAT PICS! Truly awesome 🙂
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Thank you… 😀
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Lovely Pictures
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The Bengali fascination and obsession with the Pujas has always amused me quite a lot. Happy Puja to you, Mani.
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Thank you Sir 🙂
Yes, it’s a madness which is really difficult to understand. We actually criticize ourselves a lot for it 😀 and then again…the craziness continues… 😀
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Hi Maniparna, Tears have come while I was viewing the idols of goddess. It felt like the Lord is in front of my eyes. Thanks for posting & happy Navratri!!
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Thank you so much Seema..I’m really moved by your comment …. Have a festive month ahead and stay blessed… 🙂
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superb artisticaly outstanding….Maa Durga, nice pics
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beautiful pics !! just got a glimpse of the Kolkata puja through your camera lenses 🙂 You have a nice blog.
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Thank you so much… 🙂 welcome to my blog… 🙂
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Nice collection of pictures Maniparna 🙂 Liked the enigmatic MA Durga… the titanic theme 🙂
I love how all these festivals have same reasons to celebrate but with different ways of celebration
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Thanks Vidyashree…yes..India..unity in diversity…. 😀
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Happy Durga Puja 🙂 Beautiful photos 🙂
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Thanks Deepa and same to you… 🙂
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beautiful pics & themes. I’ll share some of Bhubaneswar & Cuttack soon.
Happy Durga Puja, Mani 🙂
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Happy Durga pUja to you too Anita … 🙂
Waiting eagerly for your post… 🙂
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Very nice photography and narration. A little details about to location and how to reach these pandals from airport/ railway station might have helped people arriving at Kol for seeing these Pujas.
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You’re right. Will try to provide those details in my next post 🙂
Thanks so much…have a very happy Durga pujo.. 🙂
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Great……Beautiful photos
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Thanks… 🙂
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What a beautiful post with lovely vibrant photos!! 🙂 This will be my first Durga Puja in Kolkata!! 🙂 🙂
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That’s great Trini…. hope you’ll enjoy it to the fullest 🙂 stay blessed… ❤
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🙂 You too! 🙂
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Three more added to my long list of Pandal hoping
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Hehe Datta…my list is endless..so I’ve started early… 😀 khub bhalo kaTuk pujo… 🙂
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Great glimpse of the famed Durga Puja at Calcutta! Reminded me of my days in Delhi – I lived close to CR Park where you did get exposed to the Bengali way of celebrating Navratri.
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Yes..CR Park is famous for Durga Pujo in Delhi…. But nothing to match the grandeur of Kolkata… 🙂
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Beutiful pics, You know one of my lovely friends invited me this year to come but sadly i dont have any days off to take :(..
Next year fingers crossed I should be in kolkata during the puja days
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Great…let me know if you’re in Kolkata next year…. 🙂
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Wow, simply awesome posts Maniparna, I am actually missing these things…
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You’ve witnessed a couple of Durga Pujos in Kolkata… isn’t it ? 🙂
Happy Durga Pujo…wish you a happy festive week ahead… 🙂
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Visiting Kolkata for Durga Puja is very high up on my wishlist for travel. Thanks for the great images. Happy Durga Puja!
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I hope your wish will soon be fulfilled… 🙂 Thank you and a very happy Durga Pujo to you too… 🙂
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Nice to get a glimpse of Kolkata pujo in your post
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Thanks a lot… 🙂 Wishing you a happy Durga Pujo and also..welcome to my blog… 🙂
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Pujo has a different atmosphere. It is the autumn. Bright sunlight, clear blue sky, as if nature prepares herself to welcome mother. It is an indescribable feeling.
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Yes, I agree with you completely..festivity is in the air… 🙂
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Beautiful..!
surely want to see live celebrations one day
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Thanks so much Kanika… 🙂
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So artistically done! Here in Bangalore one doesn’t get to see so many varieties.
A very happy Pujo to you and all your loved ones.
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Thanks Indrani…same to you and your family… 🙂
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No words for divine beauty
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Thanks Ravish…wish you a happy festive week ahead…stay blessed… :_0
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Amazing writeup and pictures both Mani. I so wish to be in Kolkata this time of the year. My best wishes for Navratri to you and family.
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Thanks Shweta…have a very haapy Durga Puja and Navaratri…best wishes …. 🙂
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OMG ! Maniparna , its beautiful and so so divine !!!
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Thanks Shruti… have a wonderful festive week ahead… 🙂
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Happy puja to you :0 Feels blessed to be in a country with so many festivals.
Also not to forget the number of off days from work 😛 But the fact is that we transform ourselves to accommodate all these festivals. This was a nice insight on Durga puja.
Cheers!!!
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Yes, this is India..we celebrate a-l-l festivals… 😀 ….but it creates a sense of happiness and oneness too …. 🙂
Thanks so much…glad you liked the post… 🙂
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Great photography… Great moments of celebrations…
Thanks for sharing
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Thanks a lot… 🙂
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Brilliant pictures! I am finding it so difficult to take the eyes of the divine image of Ma Durga captures in all Her beauty! I wish Ma calls me to Kolkata someday to witness everything Live. Till then, I keep the beauty of your pictures close in my heart. 🙂 Thanks a lot dear Mani, Happy Puja to you! 🙂
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*captured –> typo
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Happy puja to you too Arti…. 🙂 I sincerely hope that you’ll be here in Kolkata to witness the festival live someday… 🙂
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Ah! The idols of Durga Maa are divine and beautiful. Thank you Maniparna for this lovely post…. Great. Happy Durga Puja…:)
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Thanks Priyashi, happy Durga Pujo to you too… 🙂
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This looks so awesome. I feel the need to visit Bengal during this time 🙂
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Sure…I’m sending you a virtual invitation…. 🙂 we’ve an ancient grave yard here also, at Park Street… 😛
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I shall keep that in mind 🙂 😀 Wonder why nobody told me about that graveyard during my visits 😦
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Beautiful photos and images are radiating the power of goddess Durga…yes, it is time to be in Kolkatta…the atmosphere is loaded with joy and fervor. The design and decor is left to our creative imagination and not to forget about the spread of light and of course the taste of sweet…Wishing you a very happy dussera!!!
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Thank you so much Nihar. YES! it’s high time to be in Kolkata….with all the decorations and lights, it exudes a totally different aura.
Happy puja and dussera to you too 🙂 …
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Thank you and have a great dussera puja…
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🙂 …
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These are very beautiful and your explanation is wonderfully informative! Thank you. Enjoy the festival and great blessings upon you .
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Thanks a lot …glad to know that you liked the post. Blessings to you too 🙂 …
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