For all of us here in Calcutta, it’s celebration time. And so it is for all Bongs whose roots are here or in other parts of Bengal. Because they too celebrate but far away in every corner of this world. Ma Durga is home and all around in the neighborhood. With her four children Luxmi, Saraswati, Ganesh & Kartick. And the fun has just begun. Because it’s the Durga Puja Carnival, Calcutta, India.
Artist – Avanish Trivedi
Goddess Durga
According to Hindu mythology, Goddess Durga emerged from the combined energies of the Gods Brahma (the Creator), Vishnu (the Preserver) and Shiva (the Destroyer) in order to battle the demon called Mahisasura. She was gifted different weapons by all the Gods since the presence of a feminine energy was required to massacre this demon.
And it is the God gifted Artists who make the occasion so very special with their artistic vision and months of labor in creating the idols.
Durga Puja Carnival, Calcutta & Idols
Artist – Avanish Trivedi
Goddess Durga is worshiped in various forms corresponding to her aspects of benevolence and fierceness. She is Uma (glow), Gauri (white or brilliant), Parvati (the mountaineer) and Jagatmata (the Mother of the world) in her milder guise. The terrible appearance are Durga (the inaccessible), Kali (the black), Chandi (the fierce) and Bhairavi (the terrible). Enjoy Ma Durga in her different moods at some of the selected Puja Pandals of Calcutta in 2021. Come let’s go Pandal Hopping.
Jagat Mukherjee Park
Tala Park
Selimpur Pally
Hindustan Park
Jodhpur Park 95 Pally
Dumdum Park
Santoshpur Lake Pally
Hatibagan Nabin Pally
Kalighat Shree Sangha
Kumartuli Park
Samaj Sebi Sangha
Gariahat Hindustan Club
The Pujas are not just about these idols. Each Pandal itself is also a creative masterpiece with innovative themes every year on current issues, rural Bengal, Bollywood & various landmarks. I leave that for you to experience when you are here next year for the Durga Puja Carnival. You could check out Pandal Hopping & other Kolkata tours on Viator.com
Also Read – Calcutta, the City of Joy brought alive through the eyes, brush & colors of celebrated Artist Avanish Trivedi, who was born and has grown up in the city.
How to reach Calcutta
Calcutta, now called Kolkata is well connected through direct or one-stop flights to all national destinations. In addition there are direct fights to Bangkok, Singapore and indirect flights to all international destinations. Also the Howrah station has rail connections to every part of the country.
For your stay, check out Booking.com for the best accommodation options.
Durga Puja Carnival, Calcutta – What else to do?
Visit a Rajbari (Royal Palace) Durga Puja
Take a Boat Ride on River Ganges
Artist – Avanish Trivedi
Take a refreshing Tram Ride on the Maidan
Artist – Avanish Trivedi
Enjoy some Roadside Tea
Artist – Avanish Trivedi
Spend time at Rabindra Sarovar, the Lake
Enjoy the Durga Idol immersion from a boat
Artist – Avanish Trivedi
Enjoy a ‘Sundarbans Cruise Trip’ for 2 nights after Pujas
Sundarbans National Park is a large coastal mangrove forest. The area is home to the Royal Bengal tiger plus other endangered species such as the estuarine crocodile and Ganges River dolphin. Check all about Sundarban National Park here. You can book your tours through Vivada Cruises, Sunderban Houseboat, West Bengal Tourism Development Corporation and other private operators directly on their websites. And enjoy unspoiled nature at its best.
Durga Puja Carnival, Calcutta
Come over to Calcutta in 2022 to enjoy this unique Carnival from October 1st to 5th. Here is wishing all our readers a very Happy Durga Puja. May the Goddess bless you & your family with health, peace of mind and happiness.
If you loved Durga Puja Carnival in Calcutta, PIN it for planning later !
Indian is a country tht I have always wanted to travel to and the amazing colours of Durga puja carnival makes Calcutta I must destination stop for my Indian trip. I can see India being everything I ever hope it would be
Yes Jason. India is beautiful, colorful and a destination which has everything that a traveler dreams of.
Calcutta seems like such a wonderful destination with all the beautiful colors, culture, art and way of dress. I’d love to take the 2 day cruise and really see the sights. I have to say, I’m so curious about the flavor of the roadside tea!
Come over to Calcutta Alice. And have lots of fun.
Thanks for this post. I miss the Kolkata Durga Puja here very much. Sharing those photos gives me a glimpse of Puja. I like those paintings, those are beautiful, specially the lady with the camera in hand.
Thanks Som. Happy to share some happiness.
I traveled throuhg the south of India for one month almost 20 years ago. Back then I knew I wanted to come back to explore the north, but never made it there. The Durga Puja festival in Calcutta looks like a fantastic reason to finally plan this trip!
Do come over Natascha. And have a great time.
India has quite a few of these festivals, one more beautiful than the other and Durga Puja is not any different. But the art produced during the carnival seems to be more successful than the carnival itself. I’ve seen some outstanding pieces here.
Yes master craftsmen at work.
Thank you for sharing about Goddess Durga. I am not really very familiar but I am happy to learn more about her.
Wishing you have a meaningful celebration during the Durga Puja Carnival.
Thank you Clarice.
Happy Durga Puja. It has been my wish to visit Kolkota a bit before Durga Puja to witness the making of the idols. I like the Durga in Jodhpur Park 95 Pally. It looks like it is entirely made of Sholapith. The paintings by Avinash Trivedi looks exquisite. Sundarbans is high up in my wishlist. I hope to visit Kolkata soon.
Come over Bhushavali. You’ll love the atmosphere then during Pujas.
wow, so much art going on there….and who is the watercolor artist? did you make some of those yourself? need to add this to my India list when we go in 2022
You are welcome to Calcutta Mike. No the art is all from this very talented artist from Calcutta, Avanish Trivedi.
Getting Goddess Durga home and celebrating that entire festival is a delight in itself. I was in Calcutta during the Durga festival and I know how bigger a celebration it is. I do hope to go back again during the festival and capture the festivities.
Come over again Raksha. And enjoy being here.
I love how artsy this is with all the different renditions. Festivals in other countries always interest me. However, I’d also enjoy riding on the River Ganges – I’ve always wanted to do that! I really need to explore this part of the world. So beautiful!
Come over Jennifer and fall in love with India.