SHARDIYA NAVRATRI 2023: Durga Puja is an important festival celebrated by the people of India. It is primarily celebrated in West Bengal and the rest of the country also celebrates it. This festival represents the victory of good over evil. It encompasses religious traditions and also showcases cultural and artistic elements such as pandals, idols, music, dance, and delectable cuisine. Let’s explore the top cities with some of the best Durga Puja pandals in India.
KOLKATA, WEST BENGAL
Kolkata claims the top spot due to its popular Durga Puja celebrations. The locals in the city believe that the Goddess returns like a married woman on vacation to her paternal home. The city’s roads transform into a vibrant display of pandals, and rustic bamboo structures beautifully adorned. These pandals showcase some of the nation’s most exquisite artistry, alongside stalls offering mouthwatering Bengali cuisine and more. Inside the pandal, you will discover a beautiful statue of Lord Durga. The festivities and rituals span all nine days.
Best Pandals: Deshapriya Park, Chetla Agrani, Suruchi Sangha, Maddox Square, Ekdalia Evergreen Club, Mohammad Ali Park, and Santosh Mitra Square.
MUMBAI, MAHARASHTRA
The celebration of this festival began with Bengalis who couldn’t return home for the nine-day celebration. They started their own festivities in this city and Mumbai soon became a prime Durga Puja destination. The celebrations here are similar to those of West Bengal, with a touch of modernity. Sumptuous dishes are offered to both the deity and visitors. The trend of celebrity appearances at these pandals continues, and in some venues, you can enjoy traditional song performances by renowned singers.
Best Pandals: Lokhandwala Durgotsav, Ramakrishna Mission Durgotsav, Powai Sarvajanin Durgotsav, Chembur Durgotsav, Tulip Star Durgotsav in Juhu, and Bengali club’s Durgotsav in Dadar.
AHMEDABAD, GUJARAT
The festival is celebrated with a dazzling display of fireworks and a vibrant tribute to Lord Ram’s victory over Ravana. Traditional dances Dandiya and Garba grace many places during this festive season. On the last day, a huge Ravana statue is lit with fireworks to signify the defeat of evil.
Best Pandals: Kalibari Durga Puja, Bengali Cultural Association’s Durga Puja in Vastrapur, Anandamela food festival, Laxmi Vilas Palace, Navlakhi Ground, and the Sarkhej-Gandhinagar highway.
NEW DELHI
In Delhi, the festival is celebrated as the victory of Lord Ram. You’ll find grand dramatic retellings of his story and children dressed as mythological characters. The highlight is the burning of a massive Ravana statue symbolizing good over evil.
Best Pandals: CR Park, Ramlila Maidan, Red Fort area, New Delhi Kali Bari, Durgotsav GK 2, Minto Road, and Subhash Maidan.
VARANASI, UTTAR PRADESH
It’s a sight to behold as small children dress up as Lord Ram, Sita, Laxman, and Hanuman during the celebration. Numerous dramatic performances retell stories from the Ramayana. Sages also make their way to Varanasi during this festival. The city is known for its extensive rituals, but it can get extremely crowded during this time. A huge fair is organised, featuring pandals where you can enjoy a variety of delicious food and sweets.
Best Pandals: Hathua Market, Sanatan Dharm Durga Puja, Padao, Jaitpura, Machodari, Ordely Bazar, and Shivpur Durga Puja Ram Mandir.
KULLU, HIMACHAL PRADESH
Kullu has its unique way of celebrating this festival. Unlike many regions, you won’t find pandals here. Instead, the festivities unfold through processions and other celebrations at Dhalpur Maidan in Kullu Valley. The victory of Lord Ram is celebrated for ten days, culminating with the symbolic burning of a piece of wood and a bundle of grass when the procession reaches the River Beas, marking the burning of Lanka.
Best Pandals: Dhalpur Maidan, Kullu Valley.
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