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Durga Puja in Kolkata is more than a festival; it is an overwhelming cultural experience that changes the city into a living, breathing work of art. Each autumn, lights, pandals, and idols fill the streets, bringing people together in festive harmony. This ten-day extravaganza, which ends with the last five days of Navratri, is a combination of old traditions and new ideas, thus becoming one of the most famous festivals of India. Durga Puja is the time when Kolkata is at its pinnacle of beauty through the means of artistic pandals, religious rituals, delectable dishes, and cultural performances. Whether you’re visiting for the first time or returning, it allows you to see spirituality and creativity unite in unforgettable ways.
The Significance Of Durga Puja In Kolkata
Photo: Biswarup Ganguly / Wikimedia Commons
Durga Puja is a festival that is observed all over India, yet it is the one that is the most important and close to the hearts of the people of Kolkata. The festival, which celebrates the victory of Goddess Durga over the demon Mahishasura, is a metaphor for the triumph of good over evil. But for Kolkatans, it is more than religion; it is a cultural phenomenon. In December 2021, UNESCO added Kolkata’s Durga Puja to UNESCO’s list of “Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity,” reflecting its universal importance.
When Is Durga Puja In Kolkata 2025?
Photo: Subhrajyoti07 / Wikimedia Commons
Durga Puja in Kolkata 2025 runs from September 27 (Maha Panchami) to October 2 (Vijaya Dashami). Key days include: Maha Panchami (preparations), Maha Shashti (Goddess idol unveiling), Maha Saptami (Kola Bou Snan), Maha Ashtami (Anjali, Sandhi Puja, cultural events), Maha Navami (rituals and pandal hopping), and Vijaya Dashami (Sindoor Khela and emotional immersion processions at the Hooghly River). Each day holds special significance, making the festival a vibrant and deeply spiritual celebration.
Famous Pandals To Visit In Kolkata
Pandals are the festival’s heart, with unique, stunning temporary structures for Goddess Durga idols, making “pandal-hopping” the most exciting experience.
1. Kumartuli Park Durga Puja
Photo: Tarunsamanta / Wikimedia Commons
Kumartuli Park Durga Puja is among the most enthralling visits when going through the festivities in North Kolkata. This pandal, located in the ancient potters’ colony, provides visitors with a different way to see the creative works of art, which are the defining feature of the city-wide Durga idols. Kumartuli is the home to the traditional clay sculptors, or kumars, who complete the idols meticulously by hand, and at the same time, they combine the heritage techniques with modern innovation. If you are looking for genuineness, Kumartuli Park is definitely a standout as a cultural jewel during Durga Puja in Kolkata.
Location: Kumartuli, North Kolkata
Major Attractions: Traditional idol-making, artisan craftsmanship, authentic cultural vibe
2. College Square Durga Puja
Photo: Subhra Jyoti Paul / Unsplash / Image For Representation Only
A highlight of Central Kolkata, the College Square Durga Puja pandal draws huge evening footfalls during the festival. It is a beautiful place just a few steps away from the historic Calcutta University and Presidency College. This pandal is also known for its picturesque reflection in the huge water tank next to it. The stunning lights, elegant decorations, and the awe-inspiring idol together make a charming experience, especially when you can see the whole thing from the other side of the lake. This puja, which started in 1948, combines tradition with stunning craftsmanship, thus making it a place where the locals and the tourists get the best of both worlds.
Location: College Street, Central Kolkata
Major Attractions: Stunning reflections of the pandal and idol in the water tank
3. Ahiritola Sarbojanin Durga Puja
Photo: Indrajit Das / Wikimedia Commons
Ahiritola Sarbojanin Durga Puja, situated in North Kolkata, is one of the most respected and community-driven celebrations of the city. Started in 1940, this puja is recognised for its rich cultural heritage and the artistic themes of the pandal that mostly depict the traditional Bengali-influenced environment. Contrary to some of the more commercialised pandals, Ahiritola is concentrated on keeping the old-world charm intact while also using innovative designs and lighting. Generally, the idol here is of the classical types, with the thorough detailing that looks back to the times of the antique industry.
Location: Ahiritola, North Kolkata
Major Attractions: Traditional Bengali themes, artistic innovation
4. Santosh Mitra Square Durga Puja
Photo: Vishal Rohatgi / Unsplash / Image For Representation Only
Santosh Mitra Square Durga Puja, earlier known as Lebutala Park Puja, is among the most mentioned festivals of Central Kolkata. Since its inception in 1936, it has been known for its creative and extravagant themes, which primarily feature life-size replicas of famous monuments or cultural icons. Over the years, the Pandals of Santosh Mitra Square Durga Puja have been decorated to resemble Buckingham Palace and Indian royal palaces, drawing large crowds of people who admire the originality of the artworks. The idol here is always magnificent, perfectly matching the pandal’s stylish background.
Location: Lebutala Park, Central Kolkata
Major Attractions: Innovative pandal themes, often inspired by global landmarks or social issues
5. Deshapriya Park Durga Puja
Photo: Biswarup Ganguly / Wikimedia Commons
Deshapriya Park Durga Puja of South Kolkata is well-known for its record-breaking lavishness and innovative approach. The pandal became the talk of the town all over the country in 2015 after it decided to make the tallest Durga idol in the city. From then on, it has been continuously garnering huge footfalls and setting new standards for out-of-the-box thinking. This pandal has become synonymous with pushing the limits of size, themes, and decorations, thereby frequently unveiling something new for the Puja circuit. To catch a highly exaggerated celebration, this pandal is the first choice for Durga Puja in Kolkata.
Location: Deshapriya Park, South Kolkata
Major Attractions: Record-breaking tallest Durga idol (2015) and large-scale innovations
6. Ekdalia Evergreen Durga Puja
Photo: Krishna8412 / Shutterstock
Ekdalia Evergreen Durga Puja, situated in the southern part of Kolkata, is known for its brilliant illumination and lavish decoration. Since its inception in 1945, the pandal has been drawing huge crowds year after year due to its skill of depicting famous temples and heritage buildings all over India. It goes without saying that the themes are always majestic and deeply rooted in the cultural aspect of Madurai‘s Meenakshi Temple and Odisha‘s Jagannath Temple. The idol is generally made in a traditional way, and it is the centre of attraction with the bright lights and the complicated designs used as the backdrop.
Location: Gariahat, South Kolkata
Major Attractions: Temple replicas and spectacular lighting displays
7. Shreebhumi Sporting Club Durga Puja
Photo: Biswarup Ganguly / Wikimedia Commons
Shreebhumi Sporting Club Durga Puja, situated in North Kolkata, is one of the city’s most glamorous and crowd-pulling pandals. The club is particularly recognised for its lavish themes, which, quite often, depict the prominent places around the world, like Disney castles, Vatican City, or Bollywood-inspired sets. This puja, established in 1969, is the annual celebration of ingenuity and light, which, in turn, draws in a huge number of visitors. The deity is the highlight of the pandal’s magnificence, being the recipient of the ornate and grand accessories. Its proximity to Lake Town is the reason for its enormous popularity during Durga Puja in Kolkata.
Location: Lake Town, North Kolkata
Major Attractions: Extravagant themes inspired by global landmarks and pop culture
Rituals And Cultural Experiences
Photo: SUSHMITA NAG / Unsplash
While the pandals can be said to attract the most people, it is the rituals of Durga Puja that are the mainstay of the celebrations. Some of the main rituals of Durga Puja are:
- Chokkhu Daan: The ritual of painting the eyes of God, which is the most important aspect of the idol.
- Bodhon and Pran Pratishtha: Services that signify the Goddess’s invitation into the world.
- Kola Bou Snan: The symbolic wife of Lord Ganesha, the banana plant, is bathed.
- Anjali on Ashtami: People come together to pray with flowers during Maha Ashtami.
- Sandhi Puja: The dramatic ritual of the changeover between Ashtami and Navami.
- Sindoor Khela: Married women smear vermillion on one another and say goodbye to the Goddess before immersion.
- Bisarjan (Immersion): Dashami marks the immersion of idols in the Hooghly River, celebrated with joyous parades, drumming, and emotional partings.
Durga Puja in Kolkata is more than a festival—it captures the city’s soul. From grand pandals to heartfelt rituals, it showcases Kolkata’s blend of tradition and art. Experience vibrant streets, savor authentic Bengali cuisine, and witness the emotional farewell of the Goddess on Dashami. Pandal-hopping here is truly unforgettable. Plan your trip with TripXL to immerse yourself in one of the world’s most spectacular cultural celebrations.
Cover Photo: Milandeep Sarkar / Wikimedia Commons
