Vikhroli Durga pandal to bring in festivities merging tradition with inclusivity
2 months, 3 weeks ago

Vikhroli Durga pandal to bring in festivities merging tradition with inclusivity

Hindustan Times  

MUMBAI: Durga puja committees across the country have been making an attempt to promote an all-inclusive Sindoor Khela on Vijayadashmi – the last day of the festivities -- for nearly a decade now, and this year, the Vikhroli Bengali Association has decided to imbibe this shift from tradition in its 59th year. The all-inclusive Sindoor Khela is a modern twist on the old tradition to celebrate the true feminine energy – singles, widows, transgenders across socio-economic strata participate in the ritual along with married women, defying the patriarchal construct. There has been a social stigma surrounding widows and single women for far too long, and we are taking this step to foster inclusivity.” A majestic 14-feet tall Durga idol, crafted by artisans from Kolkata’s famed Kumartuli, will stand within the Vikhroli Durga pandal. “The Vikhroli Durga pandal not only promises a visual and cultural treat but also stands as a symbol of inclusivity, community and environmental responsibility, reflecting the progressive spirit of the Bengali community,” added Pandit.

Tradition Bengali Durga Vikhroli Vikhroli Durga Sindoor  idol  vikhroli  khela  bring  inclusivity  durga  community  tradition  widows  bengali  women  merging  festivities  pandal

History of this topic

Water's Embrace: A Symphony of Creativity in Kolkata's Durga Puja Pandal
2 months, 1 week ago

Water's Embrace: A Symphony of Creativity in Kolkata's Durga Puja Pandal

Hindustan Times  

Kolkata's raindrop-themed Durga Puja pandal has captured hearts online with its innovative design. The pandal features an array of utensils placed in a pit to collect water droplets, creating a captivating sound that enhances the immersive experience for festival-goers. The viral video has garnered significant attention, with internet users expressing their admiration and appreciation for the unique and creative pandal.

This Durga Puja, Noida pandals pay homage to Kolkata rape victim
2 months, 2 weeks ago

This Durga Puja, Noida pandals pay homage to Kolkata rape victim

Hindustan Times  

Gautam Budh Nagar district is all geared up to usher in Durga Puja festivities from Thursday, with leading Durga Puja committees dedicating their pandal themes to pay homage to the Kolkata rape and murder case victim while also highlighting women empowerment and the rich artistic and cultural heritage of Bengal. We will treat this year’s Durga Puja to throw light …

Women’s empowerment at heart of Delhi’s Durga Puja this year
2 months, 3 weeks ago

Women’s empowerment at heart of Delhi’s Durga Puja this year

Hindustan Times  

New Delhi Artisans give final touches to statues of deity Durga at CR Park. “Women empowerment is the central theme of this year’s puja, in light of the RG Kar Hospital case and we want to spread the message, using the high footfall at pandals,” Prodip Ganguly, general secretary of the Chittaranjan Park Kali Mandir Durga Puja Samiti, said. “We …

Durga Puja pandals’ themes in India range from Harry Potter to Manipur violence
1 year, 2 months ago

Durga Puja pandals’ themes in India range from Harry Potter to Manipur violence

Live Mint  

Durga Puja pandals across the country based on various themes ranging from Manipur violence to G-20 Summit have been drawing visitors and devotees in large numbers. A Durga Puja pandal in Bihar's Patna, themed on G20 Summit, is modelled on the state-of-the-art Bharat Mandapam at Delhi's Pragati Maidan is modelled on the state-of-the-art Bharat Mandapam at Delhi's Pragati Maidan, reported …

Idol makers from Kolkata bring alive Goddess Durga in Chennai
1 year, 2 months ago

Idol makers from Kolkata bring alive Goddess Durga in Chennai

The Hindu  

Artist and sculptor Kishori Mohan Pal’s averted gaze, ringed with the heaviness of age, is eloquent even in silence. Yet, in these four decades, I have never witnessed what Durga Puja is like in my city Kolkata,“ recollects a smiling Kishori. With him, he brings alluvial soil extracted from the river Ganga in Kolkata, hay, Durga’s saree, wood, twine, jute …

How Kolkata Pandal Made Puchka-themed Durga Puja Celebration Come Alive: Here's Everything to Know
1 year, 2 months ago

How Kolkata Pandal Made Puchka-themed Durga Puja Celebration Come Alive: Here's Everything to Know

News 18  

Following the viral video showcasing a Durga Puja pandal embellished with Puchkas in Calcutta, there has been a wave of astonishment sparked by this unique concept. From Puchkas to Dona plates, and even traditional rolling pins adorning the premises, this pandal has become the centre of attention, seamlessly integrating the renowned street food into the state’s cherished festival. To explore …

Uncovering the Enigmatic Charms of Durga Puja and Navratri: A Journey into India’s Cultural Marvels
1 year, 2 months ago

Uncovering the Enigmatic Charms of Durga Puja and Navratri: A Journey into India’s Cultural Marvels

The Hindu  

The Towering Durga Deity: Kolkata boasts the world’s tallest Durga idol, soaring above 90 feet in some instances. Navratri’s Nine Goddess Incarnations: Navratri venerates the nine distinct forms or avatars of Goddess Durga over nine nights, each embodying unique symbolism and attributes. Durga Puja’s Global Outreach: Durga Puja knows no borders, with celebrations spanning the United States, the United Kingdom, …

This Durga puja pandal in Prayagraj guarantees nostalgia!
1 year, 2 months ago

This Durga puja pandal in Prayagraj guarantees nostalgia!

Hindustan Times  

Reminiscing the period when the telecast of epics like Ramayan and Mahabharat kept people glued to their black and white television sets, and way beyond, the era of bioscope, the Durga puja barwari of Kareli here will take back the devotees to the bitter-sweet memories of their innocent childhood. Durga Puja committee’s president Pradip Kumar Dutta said Kareli Durga Puja …

COUNTER CULTURE | Why do we want to militarise our gods?
1 year, 2 months ago

COUNTER CULTURE | Why do we want to militarise our gods?

The Hindu  

Published : Oct 05, 2023 11:00 IST - 6 MINS READ As the monsoon recedes with a thunderous clap, Khetwadi, a neighbourhood in South Mumbai, bursts into a chaotic celebratory din signalling the start of the Ganesh Chaturthi festivities. This is one edition of the idealised vision that Bal Gangadhar Tilak had in the late 19th century, to usher in …

Happy Durga Puja: Here's how B-town celebs are celebrating the festival
2 years, 2 months ago

Happy Durga Puja: Here's how B-town celebs are celebrating the festival

Firstpost  

People in every corner of the country are immersed in the fervour of Durga Puja. Bollywood stars like Jaya Bachchan, Kajol and family, Rani Mukerji and Brahmastra team including Ranbir Kapoor, Mouni Roy, and filmmaker Ayan Mukerji were seen in attendance. The actress not only sought blessings and prayed for health and happiness, but was Rani Mukerji Kajol’s cousin and …

Durga Puja festivities return to Bhubaneswar in full glory after 2-year Covid hiatus | Pics
2 years, 2 months ago

Durga Puja festivities return to Bhubaneswar in full glory after 2-year Covid hiatus | Pics

India Today  

After a two-year hiatus due to the Covid pandemic, Durga Puja festivities are back in full swing in Bhubaneswar. From Ayodhya’s Ram Mandir to Delhi’s Akshardham Temple and Russia’s Heritage Museum, puja committees in Bhubaneswar have come up with innovative themed Durga Puja pandals, to attract pandal-hoppers. In a conversation with Aaj Tak, Rasulgarh Puja Committee member Prashant Kumar said, …

After Vatican City, Durga among sex workers: Bengalis show religion not a narrow path | Views
2 years, 2 months ago

After Vatican City, Durga among sex workers: Bengalis show religion not a narrow path | Views

India Today  

It's that time of the year when Kolkata gears up for her biggest festival. This time they found Maa Durga in Vatican City’s St Peter's Basilica. One of the most talked about Durga pandals is in Mohammad Ali Park, which is a major attraction for its traditional idol and its chandelier work. The beauty of the festival is that, so …

Why is Durga Puja the most anticipated festival of the year?
2 years, 2 months ago

Why is Durga Puja the most anticipated festival of the year?

The Hindu  

The festival of Durga Puja honours the goddess Durga’s triumph over the demon ruler Mahishasura. We’ve compiled a list of the things that make pandal hopping so much fun during Durga Puja: ● Themes Every year, each Durga Pandal has a unique, distinct concept. Intriguing Durga Pandal themes: Bhageer Maa Burj Khalifa War Global Warming Covid 19 Pandemic Mayer Haate …

Durga Puja 2022: A Look At Sharadiya Celebrations Outside West Bengal
2 years, 2 months ago

Durga Puja 2022: A Look At Sharadiya Celebrations Outside West Bengal

ABP News  

When we think about Durga Puja, the first place that springs to our mind is undoubtedly Bengal, which is well-known for its magnificent Durga Puja pandals and celebrations. Apart from the usual fun, food, and celebrations connected with Durga Puja, people of Mumbai may look forward to book fairs, theatre festivals, music performances, dance recitals, and other events this year. …

Durga Puja 2022: The Best-known Pandals in Kolkata to Explore This Year
2 years, 2 months ago

Durga Puja 2022: The Best-known Pandals in Kolkata to Explore This Year

News 18  

Durga Puja pandals in Kolkata have fresh themes every year that are each distinctive and creative each in their own way. Singhi Park: The South Kolkata Durga Puja Singhi Park Sarbojanin Durga Puja Committee has chosen to honor Narayan Debnath and the enduring personalities he created in its 81st year. Santosh Mitra Square: One of Kolkata’s busiest Durga Puja pandals …

Assam Durga Puja pandal to be replica of Ayodhya's Ram temple
2 years, 2 months ago

Assam Durga Puja pandal to be replica of Ayodhya's Ram temple

India Today  

This year, a Durga Puja pandal in Assam's Bongaigaon district will be a replica of the under-construction Ram temple at Ayodhya. Talking to Aajtak about this unique Durga Puja pandal, Tarak Nath Ghosh said, "This time, Forward Sporting Club marks 59 years and on this occasion the club has presented a replica of the grand Shri Ram temple of Ayodhya. …

Durga idol made of 'Ashtadhatu' stands 12 feet tall in Kolkata, to be worshipped whole year
2 years, 2 months ago

Durga idol made of 'Ashtadhatu' stands 12 feet tall in Kolkata, to be worshipped whole year

India Today  

As Durga Puja is being celebrated with pomp and grandeur this year in Kolkata, the city is all decked up in vibrant colours, sparkling lights, housing hundreds of thematic and colourful pandals, which are attracting a huge number of crowds. In a pleasant surprise to all pujo lovers, Beniatola Puja committee or Shobhabazar Beniatola Sarvajanin has come up with an …

This pandal in Kolkata features first silicon Durga idol depicting lives of sex workers | See Pics
2 years, 2 months ago

This pandal in Kolkata features first silicon Durga idol depicting lives of sex workers | See Pics

India Today  

Durga Puja is being celebrated with pomp and grandeur this year in Kolkata. And, for the first time, a pandal featured a silicon Durga idol depicting the lives of sex workers in Kolkata. The Baranagar Nawpara Dadabhai Sangha Durga Puja Committee has presented a theme that portrays the lives of sex workers. For the first time, a pandal has featured …

Here are 5 unique Durga Puja pandals in Kolkata you can't miss out on | See Pics
2 years, 2 months ago

Here are 5 unique Durga Puja pandals in Kolkata you can't miss out on | See Pics

India Today  

As the Durga Puja festivities have already begun in Kolkata, the city is all decked up in vibrant colours, sparkling lights, housing hundreds of thematic and colourful pandals, which are attracting a huge number of crowds. As for visiting these hatke pandals in Kolkata, we bring to you 5 unique Durga Pujo pandals that you can't miss out on. As …

Durga Puja: THIS pandal in Kolkata is celebrating 75 years of Independence with commemorative coins
2 years, 2 months ago

Durga Puja: THIS pandal in Kolkata is celebrating 75 years of Independence with commemorative coins

India TV News  

Durga Puja: The festive season in India has already begun on September 26. Durga Puja of Kolkata is world famous and it was also included in UNESCO's representative list of the intangible cultural heritage of humanity in 2021. Every year, Kolkata brings a new theme to Durga Puja pandals, which are unique and innovative in their own way. In keeping …

Kolkata comes up with 'pet-friendly' themed Durga Puja Pandal
2 years, 3 months ago

Kolkata comes up with 'pet-friendly' themed Durga Puja Pandal

Hindustan Times  

As the festival of Durga Puja is nearing, people are coming ahead with one creative idea after the other. A similar example was seen in North Kolkata's Bidhan Sarani Atlas Club which came up with the first of its kind 'Pet-friendly' Puja Pandal. Kolkata comes up with 'pet-friendly' themed Durga Puja Pandal In the idol, the 'Asur' was replaced by …

Delhi Durga Puja: Colonial-Era Kolkata Houses, Environment Friendly Idols Ready to Greet Revellers
2 years, 3 months ago

Delhi Durga Puja: Colonial-Era Kolkata Houses, Environment Friendly Idols Ready to Greet Revellers

News 18  

Want a glimpse of colonial-era houses of Kolkata this Durga puja? Another Durga puja organising committee in the city is making an eco-friendly pandal with cardboards, wooden disposable spoons and rice husk. Saurav Chakraborty, the secretary of the Durga puja committee at Chittaranjan Park’s cooperative ground, said, “The pandal will look like a traditional house of Kolkata. Rakesh Dey, the …

Landmark Durga Puja for transgender community
2 years, 3 months ago

Landmark Durga Puja for transgender community

The Hindu  

Kolkata’s transgender community is gearing up to celebrate its own Durga Puja for the fifth consecutive year. “During Durga Puja, transgender people prefer to remain hidden for fear of being ridiculed and bullied. That is why we decided to have our own Durga Puja,” Ranjita Sinha, director, Association of Transgender/Hijra in Bengal, told The Hindu. According to Ms. Sinha, since …

Depicting ‘Devi’ through folk and tribal art
2 years, 11 months ago

Depicting ‘Devi’ through folk and tribal art

Hindustan Times  

New Delhi The painting traditions of Kalighat, Madhubani, Mata ni Pachedi, and Pichwai have come alive in this exhibition themed around the ‘Devi’. And now, focussing on the depiction of women as Devi or goddesses in Indian art, an ongoing exhibition in the Capital draws from the regional painting traditions of Kalighat, Madhubani, Mata ni Pachedi, Pichwai and folk art …

Durga Puja or Mamata Puja?
3 years, 2 months ago

Durga Puja or Mamata Puja?

India Today  

The Bengali intellectual or bhadralok, who once dreaded the prospect of a BJP assault on their cultural identity, are now cringing at the craven sycophancy Mamata Banerjee acolytes are displaying across West Bengal. The chief minister, her government’s policies and its various schemes are being exhibited across various Durga puja pandals, which attract teeming millions of pandal-hoppers during this festive …

North Bengal artist creates Durga idol using bamboo in Alipurduar pandal. See pics
3 years, 2 months ago

North Bengal artist creates Durga idol using bamboo in Alipurduar pandal. See pics

India Today  

It won’t be an exaggeration to say that during Durga Puja most eyes are on Kolkata and what the city has to offer in terms of novelty in pandal themes. Bamboo artist Shyamal Barman, who lives in Cooch Behar’s Mathabanga, created the idol of Goddess Durga and the pandal with bamboo. ~#NorthBengal #DurgaPuja pic.twitter.com/beWyuLSKIA — Ananya Bhattacharya October 14, 2021 …

This Durga Puja pandal offers a slice of Gujarat in Kolkata. See pics
3 years, 2 months ago

This Durga Puja pandal offers a slice of Gujarat in Kolkata. See pics

India Today  

Ahiritola Sarbojonin Durga Puja Committee has recreated a portion of Ahmedabad's old city in a bid to sensitise people about heritage conservation. They say what binds Ahmedabad and north Kolkata is its old parts, heritage zones which are facing rapid destruction due to real estate. From colourful walls to stained glass windows, the pandal looks exactly like a set out …

Four priestesses conduct Durga Puja in 66 pally puja pandal in Kolkata
3 years, 2 months ago

Four priestesses conduct Durga Puja in 66 pally puja pandal in Kolkata

Op India  

Kolkata’s Durga Puja is one of the most beautiful festivals in the country. This year, the organisers of 66 Pally Durga Puja in Kolkata’s Rash Behari Avenue have defied a century-old stereotype by bringing in female priests to perform all of the rites. This is the first time they have held a Durga Puja with a theme ‘Mayer Haate Mayer …

The best of Durga Puja 2021 pandals in Kolkata. Trending viral pics
3 years, 2 months ago

The best of Durga Puja 2021 pandals in Kolkata. Trending viral pics

India Today  

Durga Puja is celebrated on a grand scale in Bengal and the spirit of festivity is infectious and unmissable. But worry not, because we have brought a sneak peek of some of the best themed Durga Puja pandals in Kolkata this year that are bound to leave you mesmerized. KAKURGACHI YUVAK BRINDA This Durga Puja committee decided to revive the …

Durga Puja: South Kolkata's club chooses NRC as theme to depict plight of migrant people
3 years, 2 months ago

Durga Puja: South Kolkata's club chooses NRC as theme to depict plight of migrant people

India Today  

South Kolkata's Barisha Club Durga Puja pandal has chosen a theme called 'Bhager Maa' to depict apprehensions regarding the National Register of Citizens. Speaking to India Today, a senior official of the club said that the theme aims to project the plight of people who did not make it to the NRC even though they have been residing in the …

Covid-themed Durga Puja Pandal in West Bengal Pays Tribute to Doctors Saving Lives in Pandemic
4 years, 1 month ago

Covid-themed Durga Puja Pandal in West Bengal Pays Tribute to Doctors Saving Lives in Pandemic

News 18  

In yet another tribute to essential workers, a Durga Puja pandal in Murshidabad, West Bengal, has created an idol of the goddess herself paying tribute to a health worker. In the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, the annual Durga Puja celebrations remained subdued across Bengal, a state that sees the highest number of Durga Puja pandals due to its Bengali …

News18 Bangla Features in Sholoyana Bangaliana Theme of Durga Puja Pandal in Bardhaman
4 years, 2 months ago

News18 Bangla Features in Sholoyana Bangaliana Theme of Durga Puja Pandal in Bardhaman

News 18  

Sholoyana Bangaliana is the theme of the Durga Puja pandal in Bardhaman’s club Ichlabad Kiran Sangha. The pandal also has a special feature on News18 Bangla. That is why News18 Bangla has been kept in a separate pavilion to fulfill our theme.” Ichlabad Kiran Sangha has followed the Covid-19 protocol and this year the pandal is open and more spacious. …

Goddess Durga Reimagined as Doctor Slaying Coronavirus in Kolkata Pandal Goes Viral After Migrant Mother
4 years, 2 months ago

Goddess Durga Reimagined as Doctor Slaying Coronavirus in Kolkata Pandal Goes Viral After Migrant Mother

News 18  

After the migrant mother avatar of goddess Durga went viral in Kolkata, West Bengal ahead of Durga Puja, yet another artist’s rendition of the goddess is now making a splash. “Brilliantly appropriate #covid19-themed Durga Puja creativity from Kolkata, with the goddess slaying the virus! Salutations to the unknown designer & sculptor #DurgaPuja2020 pic.twitter.com/Q8ZT8EtWfo— Shashi Tharoor October 19, 2020 A Covid-19 …

Kolkata Puja Pandal Replaces Durga Idol with Migrant Woman to Pay Tribute to Workers, Mothers
4 years, 2 months ago

Kolkata Puja Pandal Replaces Durga Idol with Migrant Woman to Pay Tribute to Workers, Mothers

News 18  

With migrant workers facing immense hardships due to the coronavirus pandemic, organisers of Durga Puja in a Kolkata neighbourhood have decided to pay tribute not to Goddess Durga but to the women migrant workers who have been struggling to survive the pandemic. Barisha Club Durga Puja committee in Behala, Kolkata has decided to replace the traditional idol of Durga this …

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