Across India, communities are deeply engaged in the joyous festivities of Durga Puja, marking the vibrant Navaratri season. This year’s celebrations, which extend for ten days, highlight Durga Puja as far more than just a religious observance; it is a magnificent cultural spectacle profoundly integrated into the fabric of Indian life.
The jubilant atmosphere is beautifully expressed through the meticulously crafted pandals (temporary shrines) that have emerged across the nation. Artists are innovatively reinterpreting traditional Durga Puja art, creating breathtaking structures from a diverse range of materials, including wood, metal, coconut fiber, and even recycled plastic. This creative energy isn’t confined to West Bengal; the lively mood and elaborate decorations are captivating devotees and onlookers from every corner of the country.
This year’s pandals explore a wide spectrum of themes, from critical social commentary on issues like food adulteration and supporting acid attack victims, to powerful environmental statements. The extraordinary effort behind these extravagant artworks is made possible by skilled artisans who travel from various districts of West Bengal to bring these visions to life in other states.
In a poignant demonstration of resilience, the sex workers of Kolkata also organized their 13th annual Durga Puja, bravely confronting social stigma. However, not all aspects of the celebration were smooth; incessant rains in Kolkata led to waterlogging and damage to some pandals, necessitating swift and dedicated repair efforts from the organizers.
Now, embark on a visual journey through some of the incredible Durga Puja pandals and heartfelt prayers observed across India:
In Kolkata, intricate Durga Puja artwork adorns a pandal in Haridevpur 41 Pally, showcasing the city’s tradition of creating magnificent festive displays.Kolkata: A dedicated worker meticulously decorates a pandal using recycled plastic bottles, aligning with an ‘environment’ theme to raise awareness.Prayagraj: An enchanting illuminated pandal, designed on the theme of a ‘Sheesh Mahal’ (Palace of Mirrors), captivates visitors during the Durga Puja festival.Guwahati: A devotee reverently offers prayers to Goddess Durga, embodying the deep spiritual essence of the festival.Visakhapatnam: Devotees participate in a solemn puja ceremony in Old Town, observing the sacred rituals of Navaratri.Bhubaneswar: A large crowd gathers enthusiastically near a grand puja pandal, eager to experience the vibrant Durga Puja festivities.Kolkata: The youths of Dakshindari have chosen a powerful theme for their 2025 Durga Puja, portraying acid attack survivors to raise awareness and support.Bhubaneswar: The Saheed Nagar pandal shines brightly, presenting a dazzling illuminated spectacle for festival-goers.Puri: Renowned sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik celebrates Team India’s Asia Cup final victory with a unique sand art installation featuring a Goddess Durga idol on Puri Beach.Bhubaneswar: The majestic pandals are a testament to the community’s creative spirit and artistic endeavors, visibly enhancing the festive atmosphere.Vijayawada: Artists are hard at work, diligently crafting numerous idols in preparation for the upcoming Dasara festival, a crucial period during Navaratri.Mangaluru: An artist meticulously shapes an idol for the Durga Puja Samithi of the Bengali Association, demonstrating dedicated craftsmanship.Coimbatore: Skilled idol makers, hailing from Kolkata, infuse life into the idols of Goddess Durga, bringing their artistic heritage to new cities.Visakhapatnam: An artist applies the finishing touches to a Goddess Durga idol in Kancharapalem, preparing it for the grand celebrations.Chennai: Durga idol artists are diligently at work in T. Nagar, specifically at the Thakkar Bapa Vidyalaya, creating sacred figures for the festival.Nagpur: Devotees participate in a procession, reverently carrying an idol of Goddess Durga as part of the vibrant Navratri festival celebrations.Ranchi: An illuminated pandal stands as a beacon of joy, vividly reflecting the festive and jubilant mood present in cities beyond West Bengal.Kolkata: A priest performs preparatory rituals before offering prayers in front of a beautifully adorned idol of Goddess Durga on an altar.Kolkata: A thematic pandal designed around “Operation Sindoor” offers a unique artistic interpretation to festival-goers.Kolkata: A captivating view of Simla Byayam Samity’s Durga Puja pandal on the auspicious occasion of Maha Shasti.Kolkata: Visitors explore the Kashi Bose Lane pandal, which features an intriguing theme inspired by ‘Pakdondi’.Nadia, West Bengal: A stunning pandal designed to resemble the revered Kedarnath temple stands as a major attraction during the Durga Puja festival.Kolkata: A community pandal, transporting visitors back in time with its ‘Old Calcutta’ theme, draws a considerable crowd.Kolkata: A beautifully crafted idol of Goddess Durga is ceremoniously installed at a community puja pandal, ready for worship.
