Durga Puja 2024 is set to dazzle with elaborate themes, artistic masterpieces, and cultural nostalgia. Whether you’re a local or visiting Kolkata for the festival, pandal hopping is an essential experience. From eco-friendly pandals to ones steeped in tradition, each pandal offers a unique story. Here is the ultimate guide to must-visit spots for Durga Puja pandals with the best pandal-hopping routes so you don't miss out on the most spectacular spots.
1. Sree Bhumi Sporting Club Durga Puja Pandal
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Theme: Tirupati Temple Recreation.
Location: Canal St, Lake Town, South Dumdum.
How to Reach: Start your journey from the Ultadanga Railway Station, then take an auto-rickshaw or a cab towards Sreebhumi.
We begin our tour at Sree Bhumi, known for its grand and often Bollywood-inspired pandals. This year, they’ve recreated the iconic Tirupati Temple because the alleged use of animal fat in Tirupati laddus stirred controversy across political lines. What makes this pandal even more exciting? They’re distributing one lakh laddus made from pure ghee, in support of Tirupati Temple. The attention to detail is breathtaking, making it one of the first stops on your Pandal Hopping 2024 route.
2. Lalabagan Nabankur Durga Puja Pandal
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Theme: Eco-Green with 8000 Plants.
Location: Near Sovabazar Metro Station.
How to Reach from Sree Bhumi: Take a metro from Dumdum to Sovabazar Metro Station. From there, you can either walk to Lalabagan Nabankur.
This eco-friendly pandal, constructed from 8,000 trees, is making waves. Known for its environmental consciousness, Lalabagan Nabankur stands out for its message of sustainability. A unique experience, it promotes harmony with nature while keeping Pujo's traditional essence alive.
3. Hatibagan Nabinpally Durgotsav
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Theme: Theatre Para.
Location: Nalin Sarkar Street, Sovabazar.
How to Reach: It's a 10-minute walk from Sovabazar Metro Station, so you can easily stroll from Lalabagan Nabankur.
This year Hatibagan Nabinpally's theme celebrates Kolkata's iconic Theatre Para with a nostalgic trip through old Bengali theatre, using rare vintage posters and iconic references. Beautifully creating a powerful throwback for theatre lovers It becomes perfect for those who appreciate culture and creativity.
4. Ahiritola Sarbojanin Durgotsab Samity
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Theme: Time Travel to Old Calcutta.
Location: 55, BK Paul Avenue Road.
How to Reach: From Hatibagan, walk north towards Ahiritola, which is about 15 minutes away. You can also take a rickshaw or cab for a faster route.
Transporting you back in time, this pandal gives a detailed look at Old Calcutta with 3D figures of hand-pulled rickshaws and old-style architecture. Its centerpiece with 4 Durga idols features a visual representation of Durga Bisarjan (immersion) and the emotional aftermath. It's a deep dive into Kolkata's cultural history and a truly reflective experience.
5. Kashi Bose Lane Durga Puja Samity
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Theme: Social Reformers of Widow Remarriage.
Location: Kashi Bose Lane, Manicktala, Darjipara.
How to Reach: It's a short 10-15 minute drive from Ahiritola to Kashi Bose Lane.
Kashi Bose Lane's theme of social reforms, focusing on the complexities of widow remarriage in Hindu society, touches on sensitive social issues and deep-rooted struggles faced by women, using storytelling and visual artistry to push boundaries. It’s a thought-provoking experience that resonates with Kolkata's progressive mindset.
6. Santosh Mitra Square Durga Puja Pandal
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Theme: The Sphere of Las Vegas.
Location: Natabar Dutta Row, Lebutala.
How to Reach: Head back towards central Kolkata, Bowbazar via taxi or bus.
For a contrasting experience, visit Santosh Mitra Square, where the glitz and glamour of Las Vegas have been recreated. Bright lights, neon displays, and giant spheres make this pandal look straight out of a Hollywood movie set. This pandal proves how Kolkata is improving technologically.
7. Samaj Sebi Sangha
Theme: The Struggle of Indian Farmers.
Location: 24a, Lake View Road, Ballygunge, Kolkata 700029.
How to Reach: Take the bus from Sealdha to Kalighat or Jatin Das Park, and then a quick cab or rickshaw ride to Samaj Sebi Sangha.
In Ballygunge, Samaj Sebi Sangha showcases the plight of Indian farmers, bringing to life the rustic charm of rural Bengal with mud houses, cultivation tools, and Sora Durga paintings (traditional Bengali pottery). A replica of Goddess Lakshmi, trapped in a jail-like structure, symbolises the hardships faced by the lower class. The intricate detailing and powerful social message make this one of the must-visit pandals of 2024.
8. Ballygunge Cultural Association
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Theme: Arshinagar – The City of Mirrors.
Location: 57, Jatindas Rd, Lake Terrace, Ballygunge.
How to Reach: About 10 minutes on foot walk away from Samaj Sebi Sangha.
This pandal is a feast for the eyes, with its stunning architecture made of white metal rods and covered in millions of LED lights. Alongside the giant red Durga idol, create a visually stunning and modern take on the traditional Puja.
9. Maitri Sangha Durgotsav Club
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Theme: Heritage of Murshidabad's Kathgola Palace.
Location: 21B, Lansdowne Pl, Dover Terrace, Ballygunge.
How to Reach: It'll take a short 13-minute walk from Ballygunge Cultural Association.
Maitri Sangha Durgotsav Club invites you to a mesmerising replica of the Kathgola Palace, celebrating Murshidabad's rich history and architecture. This year's theme, "Dhaker Sajer Durga," offers an authentic Bengali experience, showcasing exquisite old furniture that reflects a bygone era.
10. Suruchi Sangha
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Theme: Purano Diner Kotha – A Nostalgic Journey
Location: 500 & 505 Station Road, New Alipore
How to Reach: Rest your legs a little and take a bus ride from Rash Behari Avenue for 15 minutes.
The Suruchi Sangha pandal this year focuses on the fading joys of the past. Old scooters, traditional cultivation props, and retro household items will tug at your heartstrings. The beautifully integrated theme will take you down memory lane, reminding you of the simpler times.
11. Chetla Agrani
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Theme: Banaras ghat Water Pollution in Ganga River
Location: 14, Peary Mohan Roy Road, Chetla
How to Reach: Take a quick 20-minute cab ride as the bus routes often change during puja night.
At Chetla Agrani, the theme centres around an urgent environmental issue portraying water wastage and pollution in the Ganga, with almost real-life depictions of Banaras ghats. This artistic representation of the effects of pollution is a thought-provoking masterpiece. The live artists add a special touch. This pandal serves as both an artistic creation and a stark reminder of the impact of pollution on India’s sacred river.
12. Mudiali Club Durga Puja Pandal
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Theme: Trimatrik – The Motherly Durga.
Location: 37, SR Das Road, Kalighat.
How to Reach: Head Back to Rashbehari Crossing and take a cab or bus to your last destination.
At Mudiali Club, you’ll find a more personal connection with the deity, as the idol is created to resemble a motherly figure rather than a fierce goddess. The Pandal artisan Baman Saha, Pratima Artisan Asit Pal’s intricate craftsmanship makes this pandal worth visiting.
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