It’s that time of the year yet again. Call it Navratri, Dussehra or Durga Pujo, its a time for celebration, festivity, and euphoria. For most of us, Durga Puja is simply put, an emotion. It is less religious and more cultural. A celebration with food, art, cultural events, and more, this is a time to unleash the artist in you. We have put together a list of pandals you can visit in Delhi to soak in every bit of the festivity and not feel left out. So wake up, hear the dhak, and let the pandal hopping begin!
Kashmere Gate
This pandal has bragging rights to claim that they are Delhi’s oldest Durga Puja pandal. First established in 1910, the Delhi Durga Puja Charitable Cultural Samiti is one of the few pandals that still follow traditional methods of immersion on a bullock cart. So if you are confused about where to start, we say this is it.
Where | Bengali Senior Secondary School, Shamnath Marg, Alipur Road, Opposite Indraprastha College, Delhi.
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CR Park
The mini Bengal of Delhi. It shouldn’t be surprising to you that we cannot put a finger on the best pandal at CR Park, but we have narrowed it down to a trail of 6 pandals that you can cover on foot. Start from CR Park’s B block pandal with the ‘No plastic’ theme, and proceed to K block for a ‘folk songs of Bengal’ themed pandal and reach the Kali Mandir society for a traditional pujo. Begin the last leg of the pandal-hopping with Dakshin Palli Samiti pandal at pocket 52. This pandal has been themed after India Gate. Proceed to Mela grounds for your 5th pandal. It’s powered by German technology. End your day’s adventure with Navapalli Puja Samiti’s Pandal themed after rural Bengal. Avoid Ashtami if you want less crowd.
Where | CR Park
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Arambagh
Established in 1989, this is one of the big budget pujo pandals in Delhi. Organized by the Arambagh Durga Puja Samiti, this pandal has gained its prominence over the time. They have won multiple awards for their artistic pandals and execution of ideas. This is a must visit.
Where | 2033, Chitragupta Rd, Type 3, Block B, Aram Bagh, Jhandewalan, New Delhi, Delhi 110055
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Safdarjung
Celebrating their 50th year of Durga Puja celebrations, the Matri Mandir Samiti at Safdarjung is hosting a line of cultural events that will be the envy of pandals all around the city. The line up includes singer Amit Paul of Indian Idol fame and the rock band – Indian Ocean. You wouldn’t want to miss this pandal. Check their website for daily events.
Where | Block B 2, Safdarjung Enclave, Block B 2, Safdarjung Enclave, New Delhi, Delhi 110029
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Timarpur and Civil Lines
Established in 1914, this is the second oldest puja pandal in Delhi. This pandal continues to maintain its traditional sanctity since its formation. The tradition of taking Ma Durga for immersion in a bullock cart is still carried out here. Visit this pandal for a touch of the old world charm. Visit their website for more information.
Where | 33, Rajpur Rd, Civil Lines, Delhi, 110054
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Mayur Vihar
The Antaranga established in 1993 has been through an enchanting journey for Bengalis of the West Delhi area. You can expect a pandal that is beautifully decorated and a line up of cultural events that are different from other pandals, like fancy dress competitions, Poetry recitation and many such. Head here to experience the artistic side of pujo.
Where | Pocket 2, Mayur Vihar Phase 1, New Delhi, Delhi 110091
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Minto Road
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Established in 1940, this is Delhi’s third oldest Durga Pujo Pandal. This pandal has attracted crowd not only from all over Delhi but from neighboring states as well. Set in a traditional way and awarded for its excellent pujo celebration, this pandal will hit close to home.
Where | Minto Road, Kali Mandir, Deen Dayal Upadhayay Marg, New Delhi, Delhi 110002
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Chandni Chowk
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Contrary to popular belief, Chandni Chowk also houses a Durga Pujo Pandal, and it is one of the oldest pandals in Delhi. With intricately carved statues of Ma Durga and decorations summoned all the way from Kolkata, the pandal at Chandni Chowk must be added to your list when you are pandal hopping.
Where | 1, HC Sen Marg, Kaccha Bagh Area, Chandni Chowk, New Delhi, Delhi 110006
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Maruti Vihar
Established in 1991, the pandal at Maruti Vihar is one of the first pandals at Gurugram. Supported and visited by the government of Haryana, and awarded the best pandal in the year 2015 for its theme ‘Save the girl child’, this is an artistic pandal that will entice you for sure.
Where | 122009, Block A, Sushant Lok Phase I, Sector 28, Gurugram, Haryana 122022
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MB Road
Celebrating their 40th year of celebrations this year, the pandal at MB road will host an array of cultural events to brighten the surroundings. Magic shows, dance performances, singing performances and more are in the charts. Make sure you add this pandal to your trail of pandals this Pujo.
Where | Sector 1, Pushp Vihar, New Delhi, Delhi 110017
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Apart from the decorations, pandals, cultural events, dhak, and bhog, there will be many brands of food stalls installed at every pandal. Make sure you explore the stalls and binge on your favorite pujo delights. And remember, take the metro for your pandal hopping sessions to avoid getting stuck in the traffic and the parking situation. Tag us in your Pujo explorations, and let us know if we have missed something amazing. These are our top picks for Pujo’18.
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