If you have never been to the Durga Puja Mandap in Kolkata, you are missing out on one of the most vibrant cultural scenes in India. In a word, Durga Puja is the emotion of Bengalis.
The streets are filled with enthusiastic people, the air is filled with the rhythmic beat of dhak drums, and the sight of colorful giant structures of Goddess Durga in various forms.
Every year, the village and the city are transformed into a magical wonderland where the essence of tradition meets the creativity of modern art. Even if you are not Bengali and you visit Kolkata or anywhere in West Bengal for Durga Puja one year, you will never forget the experience.
Artistry and Creativity of Durga Puja Mandaps
Durga Puja Mandap, West Bengal (mainly Kolkata), is a masterpiece. Some of the pandals are designed to look like famous temples, palaces, or world monuments, while others are inspired by social issues or even futuristic themes. But whatever the theme, the main goal remains the same – the subjugation of evil forces by good forces.
And in West Bengal, it is not just about divinity; it is also about coming together, celebrating life, and sharing joy. The entire city becomes a beautiful canvas for artisans who work for months to bring these Kolkata Durga Puja Mandaps to life.
Stories Within Every Mandap
One thing you must know is that every Durga Puja Mandap in Kolkata has its own story. As soon as you step inside, you are greeted by a huge idol of Goddess Durga, who is dressed in gorgeous attire and adorned with many ornaments. The light of Shakti shines as people pray, sing hymns, and rejoice in the divine presence.
The Spirit of Pandal Hopping
Now imagine, while hopping from one Durga Puja Mandap to another in Kolkata, West Bengal, each Mandap is more impressive than the last.
Kolkata is also divided into two parts, North Kolkata and South Kolkata, and the pujas of these two Kolkata’s are of a different rhythm. But no matter how different the rhythm is, people visit these two Kolkata’s and spend the whole night visiting the pandals to see Durga Thakur, whether their legs hurt or they can no longer walk.
As the night progresses, the crowd at each pandal increases and the crowd becomes so large that it is beyond imagination. But no matter how much the crowd increases, the interest of people does not diminish even a little, but rather increases.
Ultimately, visiting the Durga Puja Mandap in Kolkata is not just about sightseeing. It is about being a part of a cultural event that brings millions of people together in celebration, devotion, and joy.
List of Top 10 Durga Puja Pandals in Kolkata
1. Santosh Mitra Square
Santosh Mitra Square is undoubtedly one of the best Durga Puja pandals in Kolkata, famous for its grandeur and innovative themes.
Located in central Kolkata, this pandal has been setting a benchmark in Durga Puja celebrations since 1936. What makes Santosh Mitra Square stand out is the combination of cultural themes with modern artistry.
The theme for the Santosh Mitra Square Durga Puja in 2025 is “Operation Sindoor“. The reason for this theme is A powerful and patriotic tribute to the Indian Army.
2. Shreebhumi Sporting Club
Located near Lake Town, Sribhumi Sporting Club is famous for hosting one of the most prestigious Durga Puja pandals in Kolkata.
The pandal is known for its large structures, which are often modeled after famous landmarks. Some of their famous themes are Burj Khalifa, Kedarnath Temple, and last year their theme was Tirupati Balaji Temple, one of the most revered Hindu temples in India, located in the town of Tirumala in Andhra Pradesh.
This year, their Shreebhumi Durga Puja theme is the Swaminarayan Akshardham Temple, which is located in the USA. The theme represents the spreading of devotion and culture globally, a powerful message for the festival.
3. Kumartuli Park
Kumartuli Park is a must-visit during Durga Puja, known for its artistic brilliance and traditional charm. Located in the heart of Kolkata’s famous Potters Quarter, this pandal is distinguished by its intricate clay idols of Goddess Durga, which are crafted by skilled artisans.
The pandal is famous for its emphasis on artistic details, making it one of the best Durga Puja pandals in Kolkata. All the Durga idols in Kolkata go to this pandal from this Kumartuli. The artisans here start making the idols 2-3 months in advance.
4. Deshapriya Park
Deshapriya Park is one of the best Durga Puja pandals in Kolkata and is known for one of the biggest Durga idols in the city. Located in South Kolkata, it has garnered a lot of attention in recent years for its record-breaking pandals that attracted a huge number of visitors.
Deshapriya Park is famous for its theme of ”The Biggest Durga” which was the theme of the puja in 2015. And this year too they are going to make the biggest Durga which will be bigger than the 2015 Durga.
This year it seems they have challenged themselves because last year another club was doing the work of making the biggest Durga but their club’s puja was stopped and so their work of making the biggest Durga idol was stopped.
5. College Square
Situated on the banks of the tranquil waters of a large reservoir, College Square offers one of the most picturesque and spectacular Durga Puja experiences in Kolkata.
Famous for its dazzling lights and stunning reflections on the water, this pandal is considered one of the best Durga Puja pandals in Kolkata.
Every year, the pandal is decorated with lights so beautifully that its aura spreads all around the College Square and thousands of people flock here for this famous lighting.
This year, the theme is Angkor Bhat in Cambodia, one of the largest Hindu temples in the world.
6. Dum Dum Park, Tarun Sangha
The Dum Dum Park Tarun Sangha Durga Puja in Kolkata, West Bengal is famous for its innovative themes and mesmerizing artistry during the Durga Puja pandal celebrations. Every year, this pandal captivates visitors with its blend of contemporary art.
The theme for the Dum Dum Park Tarun Sangha Durga Puja in 2025 is “Satyanweshi“, which means “The Truth Seeker“. The Sangha is actively preparing for this year’s celebration, focusing on the concept of seeking truth.
7. Jagat Mukherjee Park
For the 2025 Durga Puja, the Jagat Mukherjee Park in Kolkata features a thought-provoking AI theme, exploring whether Artificial Intelligence is a boon or a curse for humanity.
Artist Subal Pal is directly connecting science and religion, showcasing AI’s impact on human life, while also incorporating surprises related to AI into the idol itself without hurting religious sentiment.
8. Lake Town Adhibasi Brinda
The Lake Town resident Brinda Pandal is a favourite spot for locals and visitors alike during the Durga Puja pandal celebrations in Kolkata, West Bengal. Located in the bustling Lake Town area, this pandal is known for its traditional approach and at the same time embraces innovative design elements.
Every year, the committee presents unique themes that reflect a blend of mythology and contemporary relevance, which attracts people from across the city.
This year, their theme is ”Tabu Mon Rekho Part 2’’ which means this year their theme will have some thoughts related to libraries, these days people are probably forgetting to go to the library, so this theme is being done to repeat the tradition of libraries with us.
9. Ekdalia Evergreen
Located in the heart of South Kolkata, Ekdalia Evergreen is one of the iconic Durga Puja pandals in Kolkata. Known for its extraordinary temple-like structure, this pandal consistently delivers a grandeur that mesmerizes visitors.
Every year, they bring the essence of traditional Indian temples to life through intricate craftsmanship. This year is no exception as they are making a temple theme. This year, the theme is Arunachaleswarar Temple in Tamil Nadu. The theme aims to capture the unique tradition, vibrant atmosphere, and deep emotional connection associated with the temple.
10. Kalyani ITI More
Like every year, this year ITI is going to give us a beautiful pandal. Their theme this year is Hsinbyume Pagoda (also known as Myatheindan Pagoda) in Myanmar. It is a Buddhist temple.
The height of the pandal will be approximately 175 feet and the width will be 250 feet. The pandal is being made entirely of fiber and the entire pandal will be white in color.
Conclusion
The names of the pandals I mentioned above do not mean that these are the top 10 because every person has different preferences, maybe your favorite pandal is not among them and this is completely normal.
I do not think that the one at number 1 in the top 10 is the best and the one at number 10 below is less good than number 1. Every pandal of Durga Puja has different thoughts and traditions, so in my eyes every pandal is top level because ”Durga Puja is Durga Puja” and Durga Puja is our emotion.
