Durga Puja

Another name: Akaal Bodhan

Observed by: Bengali

Begins: The Sixth day of Ashwin Shukla Paksha

Ends: Tenth day of Ashwin Shukla Paksha

Durga Puja festival marks the victory of Goddess Durga over the evil buffalo demon Mahishasura. Thus,the Durga Puja festival epitomizes the victory of Good over Evil. In Bengal, Durga is worshipped as Durgotinashini, the destroyer of evil and the protector of her devotees.

The festival is celebrated with family and other social gatherings, shopping and gift-giving, feasting, pandal-visiting, lighting decorations, cultural dance, idol immersion, ceremonial worship of goddess Durga, temple services, etc. Bengali married women participate in Sindur Khela, smearing of the vermilion on Durga Puja’s last day.

Modern traditions have come to include the display of decorated pandals and artistically depicted sculptures (murti) of Durga. Pandals and sculptures inspired by a particular theme have been the hallmark of many communities.

As we soak in the festivities of Durga Puja, Bengalis in Delhi feel at home in parts of the capital. Here, We are acquainting you to the two beautiful Durga Puja pandals in Delhi.

Jute Durga idol

Location: Near Aaram Bagh, Panchkuian Road

Nearest Metro Station: R K Ashram Marg

Entry: Free
Photography: Allowed

Organized by: Arambagh Puja Samiti

The Arambag Durga Puja is one of the big budget Pujas in Delhi.

The pandal has been richly decorated with traditional artworks including Madhubani paintings adorning the walls. On all four sides of the pandal are images that narrate the episode of Ram’s Akal Bodhan to Goddess Durga from the Hindu epic “Ramayana”. The gate of the pandal is in the form of a tribal woman holding a ‘diya’ in her hands.

Though the ceremonies start from 8 PM to 12 PM, but you can visit the pandal at day time also.

Kali bari

Location: Near Gole Market, Mandir Marg, CP

Nearest Metro Station: R K Ashram Marg

Entry: Free
Photography: Allowed

Organized by: Abasan Durga Puja Samiti

The temple is located on the Mandir Marg, situated west of Connaught Place in New Delhi. The temple is easily accessible from the city by local buses, taxis, and auto-rickshaws. Nearest Delhi Metro station is R.K.Ashram Marg, located about 2 km away. The Kali Bari, Mandir Marg Durga Puja is one of the oldest one in Delhi. The puja celebration at Kali Bari is traditional in feel. 

The puja celebrations also recreate mini-Kolkata with food and festivity galore. Popular performing traditions from Bengal are part of the cultural program. Among all the puja celebrations in the Capital, this one is the most popular for its dholak performances.

You wouldn’t be able to put your eyes off the Kali idol in the temple. It’s so prepossessing.

Recommendations: Must visit these pandals as the idol makers are creating the ‘Creator’ in various Indian themes.

Sonam Rajput

Sonam Rajput is a student of Education at Central Institute of Education, University of Delhi. She is a foodie and enjoys going on historical walks and imagining the world that had been. She hopes to keep her love for history in tandem with her passion for travel and unravel cultures, and experiences while doing so.