The Festival Atmosphere

When Kolkata celebrates Durga Puja, the entire city becomes a stage. Streets turn into open-air galleries, lights sculpt the skyline, and the rhythmic beats of the dhaak echo in every lane. For five days, the festival blends devotion with carnival energy. Recognised by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage, Durga Puja in 2025 will feature more than 3,000 pandals, each narrating stories of history, myth, and modern themes.

The celebrations begin well before the main dates. Mahalaya on September 21 marks the invocation of the Goddess, and from that moment the city comes alive with artisans finishing idols, rituals like chokkhu daan, and preparations for endless pandal-hopping. The main days run from September 28 (Sasthi) to October 2 (Dashami).

Iconic Pandals to Visit in 2025

This year’s pandals present powerful themes blending heritage and contemporary issues.

  • Hatibagan Nabin Pally: Amader Desh, Amader Durga – A tribute to women of the Quit India Movement, portraying Durga in every resolute woman who fought colonial oppression.

  • Hindusthan Park Sarbojanin: Chador Badoni – Revives an almost forgotten folk art that once flourished in Bengal’s red soil.

  • Samaj Sebi Sangha: Pather Panchali 1946 – A chronicle of Kolkata’s resilience through political and economic struggles.

  • Dakshindari Youths: Dahan (The Fireborn) – Highlights the pain and resilience of acid attack survivors, confronting patriarchy head-on.

  • Alipore Sarbojanin: Cha-Pan-Utar – A creative celebration of tea, its myths, and its historical significance.

  • Tala Prattoy Centenary: Beej Angan (Seed Courtyard) – One of the year’s highlights, this centenary pandal explores the seed as a metaphor for civilisation, nature, and survival.

  • Behala Friends: Nabanna – Wounds, War and Hunger – Questions our fading empathy in an age of live-streamed wars and suffering.

  • Santoshpur Lake Pally: Jalchitra (Wash) – Revives Abanindranath Tagore’s Bengal School wash technique through layered art.

Unique Themes and Creativity

Other innovative themes include Dum Dum Tarun Dal’s “Signature of Civilisation,” exploring symbols from cave paintings to biometric scans, Hatibagan Sarbojanin’s “Athho Ghat Kotha” inspired by Tagore’s stories of Kolkata’s ghats, and Kashi Bose Lane’s “Pakdandi,” a dreamlike tribute to childhood imagination and author Lila Majumdar.

Food and Festive Flavours

Durga Puja is as much about food as it is about devotion. Pandals serve bhog meals of khichuri, labra, beguni, chutney, and payesh, bringing thousands together in shared feasts. On the streets, stalls overflow with Kolkata classics like phuchkas, kathi rolls, fish fry, mutton chops, rosogolla, and mishti doi. Nabami evenings come alive with concerts, theatre, and dhunuchi naach performances.

Dressing and Shopping

Festival fashion balances comfort and tradition. Sarees and kurtas are everywhere, but Indo-western outfits are equally popular for long nights of pandal-hopping. Gariahat and Hatibagan markets are ideal for last-minute shopping, while New Market and malls provide everything from budget buys to designer wear.

Getting Around

Kolkata never sleeps during Puja. Metro services run 24x7, bus routes are extended, and traffic diversions keep the city moving. Early mornings or late nights are best to avoid heavy crowds. Carrying light bags, staying hydrated, and following etiquette such as avoiding flash photography are important for a respectful celebration.

FAQs

When is Durga Puja 2025 in Kolkata?
It begins on September 28 (Sasthi) and ends on October 2 (Dashami). Festivities start with Mahalaya on September 21.

What are the most famous pandals this year?
Must-visit pandals include Tala Prattoy (centenary), Hatibagan Nabin Pally, Hindusthan Park Sarbojanin, Samaj Sebi Sangha, Behala Friends, and Kashi Bose Lane.

What food should I try?
Don’t miss bhog meals of khichuri, labra, and payesh, along with Kolkata street food like phuchkas, rolls, fish fry, and sweets.

How do I travel during Puja?
Use round-the-clock metro services or buses. Avoid carrying heavy bags and plan for morning or late-night visits to ease the crowd pressure.

Why is Kolkata’s Durga Puja special?
In 2021, UNESCO recognised it as Intangible Cultural Heritage. Its scale, artistry, and community participation make it unique, turning Kolkata into the world’s largest open-air cultural festival.

 

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