Pujo 2023: 6 Best Pandals In Chennai To Get The Authentic Kolkata Experience

The Bengal Association in Chennai is renowned for its vibrant festivities, including music, dance, and theatre performances featuring traditional folklore. The idol and performers are brought in from Kolkata, taking a month for the precise craftsmanship of the idol, while even the priests hail from Kolkata. The association has also embraced eco-friendly practices, discontinuing the use of water bottles and opting for eco-friendly food service items. They provide free vegetarian lunches in the dining hall and offer meal parcels for a nominal fee. Post 7 PM, visitors can savour tasty Bengali dishes and sweets prepared by home chefs. The pandal attracts an average of 5,000 visitors daily. The Giri Road-based syndicate, established in 1929, boasts grand celebrations with music, dance, and plays by renowned artists. The festivities begin with Bodhon, where idols are unveiled, followed by the Pushpanjali ritual and the enjoyment of Bhog in the mornings. Visitors stay until evening to indulge in a variety of Bengali delicacies, including luchi, sweets, puffs, cutlets, rolls, and mishti doi at food stalls.

At Thanthai Periyar Hall on School Road in Anna Nagar, the Dakshini Society's Durga Puja creates an enchanting atmosphere with lively drumbeats and ornate decorations. The event has grown significantly since its inception in 1995, now boasting more than 115 members. The festivities feature religious rituals, morning puja, and aarti, along with cultural performances by association members. The pandal is renowned for its tasty offerings, including authentic Bengali snacks, luchi with cholar dal, pulao, hara dal, rasgulla, and fish-based dishes, all prepared by chefs and priests from Kolkata. Notably, the society hosts vibrant Dhamaka nights with prominent DJs on Nabami evening, offering a wide array of Bengali and fusion cuisine, and even staging plays and music shows through their ladies' wing, Moitree.

This vibrant pandal, known for its traditional ekchala-style Goddess Durga idol, draws large crowds with its sparkling evening lights. Notably, this year's celebration includes a Kumari Puja, a rarity in Chennai, honouring young girls as part of the puja. Beyond the Bengali and Odia communities, many Chennai residents visit to savour Bengali delicacies offered at the stalls inside the pandal. Bhog is served at a reasonable price of INR 200 per plate during the afternoon, while non-vegetarian delights are available after 7 PM. The air-conditioned pandal, established in 2014, has gained popularity and is expected to attract even more visitors this year. Located at Navalur on OMR, the Gem Inn Resort pandal offers authentic Bengali food such as phuchka and rosogolla, along with diverse cultural programmes like music concerts, folk dances, Odissi performances, and Bollywood nights with DJ parties, making it a dynamic and lively celebration hub. 

The South Madras Cultural Association, hosts a vibrant Durga Puja pandal with 21 stalls, primarily offering authentic Bengali cuisines like Kolkata biryani, ilish paturi, fish chops, and kosha mangsho. While the puja rituals continue throughout the day, cultural performances begin after 7 PM and run until 12.30 AM. The association is one of the city's largest pandal organisers. Although they don't adhere to a specific theme each year, their delicious food is a major attraction for Chennai residents and pandal-hoppers. Founded in 1975, they host one of the city's largest Durga Puja celebrations, welcoming over one lakh visitors daily. 

Nestled within the Kolkata Kali temple in West Mambalam, the Madras Kali Bari Pandal harmoniously celebrates the traditions of both Tamil and Bengali cultures during Dussehra, creating a spiritually enriching experience. As you enter, you'll encounter an exquisitely adorned Durga idol. Beyond, a narrow path leads to a captivating golu display, with different themes chosen each year. The evenings at this venue come alive with crowds from various backgrounds, fostering a cultural exchange of traditions. Additionally, they offer complimentary lunch featuring authentic Bengali delicacies, and the pandal closes at 10 PM.