Durga Puja celebrations: Hues of crimson paint Delhi in festivity

As the season of lights, devotion and celebration returns with Dasehra and Navratri, the city’s Bengali community is preparing for its most awaited festival — Durga Puja.

For some, it is a time to seek blessings from the divine feminine; for others, it is about ‘pandal-hopping’ with friends, soaking in the artistry of elaborate themes and enjoying the irresistible food stalls.

This year, the festivities in Delhi promise to be all the more special, with landmark anniversaries and distinctive themes setting the stage for a cultural extravaganza.

At the heart of the Capital’s celebrations lies Chittaranjan (CR) Park — often called ‘mini Kolkata’. With the familiar beat of the ‘dhaak’ resonating through its lanes, CR Park has once again transformed into a vibrant replica of Bengal.

A (Satyajit) Ray of inspiration

Among its many ‘pandals’, the Cooperative Ground Durga Puja Samiti in K-Block stands out as it celebrates its 50th year.

To mark its golden jubilee, the committee has chosen the majestic Sonar Qila of Jaisalmer as its theme — drawing inspiration from Satyajit Ray’s iconic film ‘Sonar Kella’.

“We felt that the fort, made of limestone and deeply connected with Bengal through Ray’s movie, was a fitting theme for our golden jubilee,” said samiti secretary Vivek Bhattacharjee.

The ‘pandal’ recreates the fortress’s grandeur outside while drawing from the intricate carvings of Rajasthan’s Dilwara Jain temples inside.

Steeped in Bengali history, heritage

Reflecting on the journey of Durga Puja in Delhi, Bhattacharjee said: “The festival began in Mori Gate and Timarpur, where early Bengali communities lived. In the 1970s, land was allotted to displaced families from East Bengal in CR Park, and that’s when our puja here began. Since then, CR Park pujas have become synonymous with heritage, culture and community spirit.”

Over the years, the Cooperative Ground Puja has hosted cultural performances, drawing competitions, and dramas to keep traditions alive for younger generations.

While the puja officially starts on Saturday, the festivities to celebrate the completion of 50 years began on Thursday with musical nights to mark the golden jubilee year, featuring Bollywood playback singer Kunal Ganjawala.

Performances by Bengali band Chandrabindoo and ‘Indian Idol’ finalists are also part of the roster, adding glamour to the celebrations.

From village squares to Capital stage

Meanwhile, across the city, another puja that consistently captures attention is hosted by the Aarambagh Durga Puja Committee — known for its grand, thematic pandals.

This year, Aarambagh brings alive the traditional Jatra Pala, Bengal’s folk theatre form that once served as a popular medium of storytelling in villages.

“Our theme is inspired by Sri Chaitanya and the cultural legacy of Jatra Pala. It’s about reviving an art form that is fading today,” said committee president Indranil Sarkar.

Designed by Bengal-based national award-winning artist Gourango Kuila and curated by committee chairman Abhijeet K Bose, the ‘pandal’ uses symbolic elements such as swords, lanterns, microphones, and stage props to capture the spirit of Jatra. “Unlike cinema or television, Jatra was raw and immediate — performed in open arenas with no scope for retakes. Through our theme, we want today’s youth, many of whom are unfamiliar with this tradition, to experience its vibrancy,” Sarkar said.

Aarambagh’s celebrations will also feature a live staging of a Jatra performance on Saptami (September 29), bringing the folk theatre from Bengal’s villages to Delhi’s heart.

As the Capital gears up for days filled with devotion, artistry, and community bonding, the city’s puja ‘pandals’ reaffirm their role as cultural bridges — bringing together heritage, history, and creativity.

For thousands of Bengalis and Delhiites alike, Durga Puja here is not just about rituals; it is about keeping alive memories, stories, and traditions across generations.