Durga Puja 2023 Themes: These 11 Kolkata Pujos Are Sure To Bowl You Over

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The city's favourite time of the year is just a couple of weeks away and we're super excited! Durga Puja is synonymous with pandal hopping and we've already started ours (how else do we give you first-hand info!). We hopped around North Kolkata and bookmarked these 11 pandals  you must visit this year. 

Baghbazaar Sarbojanin

This iconic Pujo in Baghbazaar, also the oldest, is over 100 years old and creates the same idol every year without any change in the design, colour or structure but nevertheless continues to be a crowd-puller. The ekchala pratima (idol) and age-old puja rituals make it stand out from others.

How To Get There: Take a metro train that goes to Shyambazar metro station.

Date: 15 October to 24 October

Kumartuli Park

Visit Kumartuli Park this year to see how the celebration of their 2023 theme, ambition, comes to life. We are intrigued by the unique theme, and we cannot wait to visit it and see how the idol and the decoration will depict it. You have to add this pandal to your list when you're pandal hopping. 

How To Get There: Take a metro train that goes to Sovabazar Sutanuti metro station

Date: 15th October to 24th October

Hatibagan Sarbojanin

This pandal has been very innovative, from using artificial intelligence in Durga Maa idol to taking pictures of the devotees. We can not wait to see what is put in front of us this year as well. 

How To Get There: The nearest metro stations to Hatibagan Sarbojanin Pandal is Sovabazar.

Date: 15 October to 24 October

Sovabazar Rajbari

Pandal hopping in north Kolkata is incomplete without visiting Sovabazaar Rajbari. The Pujo at rajbaris are all about simplicity and traditions and that is also reflected in their idol, set up in sabeki ek-chala-style (traditional Durga idols placed on a single platform). You just can't miss the dhunuchi naach and the sindoor khela

How To Get There: Take a metro train that goes to Shovabazar metro station.

Date: 15 October to 24 October

Ahiritola Sarbojanin

Have you ever visited the magnificent Somnath Temple in Gujarat? If not, then get to experience it right here in Kolkata because that's what the theme of the Ahiritola Sarbojanin Pujo is this year. The idol of Ma Durga is being made in stone and the entire set up of the pandal resembles the temple in Gujarat.

How To Get There: Take a metro train that goes to the Shovabazar metro station from where you can take an auto or walk.

Date: 15 October to 24 October

College Square

College Square's theme in 2023 will be Mysore Palace, continuing its tradition of showcasing iconic architecture, and work has already started on that theme! Do not pass up the opportunity to attend this grand pandal, which will be enormous and regal.

How To Get There: Take a metro train that goes to either Mahatma Gandhi Road or Central metro station

Date: 15 October to 24 October

Jagat Mukherjee Park

Jagat Mukherjee Park has a special theme for  2023. The club is honoring Phulkumari Das, an established artist's model who has been a live nude model since she was 16 years old. We cannot wait to find out how they plan to honor her fraternity. 

How To Get There: Take a metro to Sovabazar.

Date: 15 October to 24 October

Telengabagan

Themed around reincarnation, the idol of Maa Durga at Telengabagan will be surrounded by different gods and goddesses depicting different emotions. Maa's hands will not have any weapons but instead imitations of rays of light will be seen coming out of them, which will be visible right from the entrance. Sounds surreal indeed!

How To Get There:  Take a metro to Shyambazar or Girish Park after which catch a bus or an auto to Muchi Bazaar.

Date: 15 October to 24 October

Shreebhumi Sporting Club

Disneyland is the theme for the Shreebhumi Sporting Club pandal this year, so if visiting it has been a dream of yours, this pujo you can do so right here in Kolkata! We are very excited to see how this unfolds, and given their impeccable past record, it is sure to be a hit! 

How To Get There: Since this is in Salt Lake, take Ultadanga Metro or a Bus to Salt Lake. After reaching either of the station take an auto or am e-rickshaw. 

Date: 15th October to 24th October

Pallir Jubak Brinda Club

The Sitaram Ghosh club in North Kolkata will commemorate the Chandrayaan-3's triumph by constructing a sizable Vikram replica that will serve as the pandal. Maa Durga will be seated on a model of a lander, and the ground will resemble the surface of the moon. The Pandal will be inaugurated by the father of an ISRO scientist, according to the organization. You definitely don't want to pass up this opportunity to celebrate the feat again!

How To Get There: Take a metro to Mahatma Gandhi Road

Date: 15 October to 24 October

Naktala Udayan Sangha

Naktala Udayan Sangha's pandal theme for 2023 is on the evils of ragging and how the menace can be eliminated from society, with a strong emphasis on strengthening community ties. A committee member mentioned how the recent tragic event at a prestigious university inspired this theme.

How To Get There: The nearest metro station is Masterda Surya Sen from where you can take an auto.

Date: 15 October to 24 October