Explore Nagpur’s Finest Durga Puja Pandals in 2025 — A Local’s Ultimate Guide

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by

Himanshu
in

When autumn arrives in Nagpur, the city lights up with devotion, art, and community spirit as Durga Puja pandals go up across neighborhoods. For 2025, several mandals are planning grand setups, elaborate idols, cultural performances and a festive atmosphere that reflects Nagpur’s growing Bengali and pan-Indian communities. Whether you’re a devotee, a culture lover, or simply someone who loves festival energy, here are 8 of the most noteworthy Durga Puja pandals to visit in Nagpur in 2025 — along with their special attractions, past recognition, and tips for your puja trail.

Why These Pandals Matter

Nagpur doesn’t have the scale of Kolkata or Delhi when it comes to Durga Puja, but its pandals are gaining character, diversity and crowds. These selections highlight variety in theme, location, accessibility, and spiritual ambiance. Many of them have earned local recognition or community praise in past years for their idols, lighting, or organizational excellence.

8 Durga Puja Pandals to Visit in Nagpur (2025)

Below is a numbered guide to eight notable pandals in Nagpur, curated for their merit, popularity and unique features.

1. Sarbajanin Durga Puja Committee, Katol Road

Location: CPWD Quarters, Katol Road area
Special Attraction: This is one of Nagpur’s oldest and most celebrated community pujas, and 2025 marks its 65th year. Expect a majestic pandal, high footfall, evening cultural performances, dhunuchi dance, and elaborate rituals. The thrill is in tradition — this committee brings history, community cohesion and scale together.
Recognition / Past Winners: Over decades, Katol Road puja has built reputation for best crowd engagement, stage shows, and consistent organization in Nagpur’s Bengali circles.
Why visit: Its legacy and reach make it a flagship puja — ideal for visitors who want the “classic” festival experience with strong community energy.

2. Paschim Nagpur Bangiya Samiti (PNBS)

Location: Sai Vatika Lawn, near Shankar Nagar
Special Attraction: PNBS’s 2025 celebration is planned with a full cultural calendar — Agomoni songs, musical evenings, plays, fusion concerts, and large bhog distribution. The opening “Khunti Puja” (setting up first bamboo pole) is a traditional highlight that draws attention.
Recognition / Past Winners: PNBS consistently ranks among top mandals in Nagpur for programming quality and festive momentum.
Why visit: Its balance of devotion, music, drama, and community involvement makes it a strong draw for those wanting variety and depth in Puja.

3. Coal Employees Sarvajanik Durga Puja Mandal, CMPDI Colony (Jaripatka)

Location: CMPDI Colony, Jaripatka
Special Attraction: 2025 marks its 35th year of Durga Puja celebration. The mandal prides itself on personal touch: committee members plan every ritual, bhog, décor, and cultural program in detail. Expect disciplined organization, devotional consistency, and warm community hospitality.
Recognition / Past Winners: Though more modest in scale than flagship mandals, this mandal is highly regarded locally for its steady growth, sincerity, and crowd management.
Why visit: It’s a blend of devotion and community service, particularly suited for visitors who appreciate festival roots with local neighborhood warmth.

4. Jaripatka Shree Navratna Maa Durga Utsav Mandal (“Jaripatka Ki Rani”)

Location: Jaripatka, Chaudhary Chowk area
Special Attraction: This pandal famously features a dramatic idol: in 2025 it is projected as “Jaripatka Ki Rani” with a striking form of Durga, possibly with multiple arms (some reports suggest 40 arms) and accompanying clay artistry. The theme includes rustic motifs, floral effects, clay plates on walls, and a modern yet traditional visual appeal.
Recognition / Past Winners: Though relatively newer compared to century-old committees, its artistic ambition has already made it a social media favorite and crowd magnet.
Why visit: The sheer visual spectacle and thematic investment make it ideal for those seeking striking idol design and photo opportunities.

5. Ganjipeth Jai Mata Di Navdurga Utsav Mandal

Location: Ganjipeth area (central Nagpur)
Special Attraction: In 2025 this mandal is integrating LED screens into its installations to narrate mythological stories, episodes of Durga’s battle lore, and interactive visual storytelling alongside ritual worship. Their idol of Goddess Bhavani on lion throne with auxiliary statues adds to the immersive effect.
Recognition / Past Winners: It has been praised for blending tradition and technology — an emerging trend in Nagpur’s puja scenescape.
Why visit: For those who enjoy combining devotion with modern presentation and narrative immersion, this is a must-see.

6. Adishakti Durga Utsav Mandal, Gaddigodam

Location: Gaddigodam neighborhood
Special Attraction: In 2025, this mandal is planning a floating idol installation: the Goddess is depicted four feet above ground, emerging from a demon’s form with a lotus rising — capturing powerful symbolism of purity triumphing over evil. This floating effect is expected to draw attention for its audacious design.
Recognition / Past Winners: The mandal has earned mentions in local media for creativity and boldness in decoration.
Why visit: Its dramatic visual concept and locality make it unusual and memorable amidst traditional pandals.

7. Rani Laxmibai Durga Utsav Mandal, 8 Rasta / Laxmi Nagar

Location: 8 Rasta Square / Laxmi Nagar
Special Attraction: This is one of Nagpur’s prominent residential pandals with consistent footfall. It plans exciting themes (e.g. mythic tableau, heritage motifs), strong lighting, and dedicated cultural programs. The setting is friendly for families and late evening visits.
Recognition / Past Winners: Among local rankings for “must-visit” pandals, this mandal frequently features due to its central location, balanced programming, and aesthetic appeal.
Why visit: Ideal for visitors staying in central or east Nagpur who want a substantive puja without excessive travel.

8. Local / Neighborhood Mandals & Emerging Youth Pujas (Somalwada, Wardhaman Nagar etc.)

Location: Various (Somalwada, Abhyankar Nagar, Wardhaman Nagar, Nandanvan etc.)
Special Attraction: These smaller scale mandals are often experimental — lighting installations, thematic décor, community participation, and evening cultural shows. Some of them step up in decoration and crowd support to rival larger mandals.
Recognition / Past Winners: While they usually don’t contend for top awards, many receive “special mentions” in local Bengali community rankings for creativity or organizational excellence.
Why visit: Great choice if you want to explore local flavor, less crowded darshan, and supportive community vibes.

Visual Aid & Route Map Suggestion

To help you plan your pandal-hopping, here’s a suggested route and grouping:

  1. Begin at Katol Road (historic and flagship) in the morning
  2. Move to PNBS in Shankar Nagar for midday programs
  3. Then head to Jaripatka / Coal Employees Mandal area (Jaripatka Ki Rani) in the afternoon
  4. Evening hop to Ganjipeth Jai Mata Di or Gaddigodam Adishakti for lighting and visual storytelling
  5. On the next day, include Rani Laxmibai (8 Rasta / Laxmi Nagar) and local neighborhood mandals in your belt
  6. Reserve one evening slot for a youth or experimental mandal in Somalwada / Abhyankar for late cultural shows

Use local auto or taxi services. Maps often show major landmarks like CPWD Quarters, Sai Vatika, CMPDI Colony, Jaripatka, Gaddigodam, Shankar Nagar etc. Preload them in your smartphone map app for ease.

Comparative Table: Highlights & What to Expect

Pandal / MandalNeighborhood / LocationUnique Feature(s)Best Time to VisitIdeal For
Katol RoadKatol Road CPWD QuartersLegacy, largest scale, consistent cultureEvening or early morningFirst timers, flagship experience
PNBSShankar Nagar / Sai VatikaMusic, drama, cultural scheduleAll day, evening cultural showsCulture + devotion
Coal Employees MandalJaripatkaCommunity soul, stable growthEvening or after aratiQuiet devotion + local warmth
Jaripatka Ki RaniJaripatka, Chaudhary ChowkStriking clay idol & dramatic themePost sunset lightingArt & photography seekers
Ganjipeth Jai Mata DiGanjipethLED storytelling, mythology displayDusk & early eveningDevotion + tech blend
Adishakti, GaddigodamGaddigodamFloating idol / dramatic installationNight visitUnique visuals & bold design
Rani Laxmibai MandalLaxmi Nagar / 8 RastaBalanced programming, neighborhood accesibilityEveningMid-city devotees
Neighborhood / Youth MandalsSomalwada, Wardhaman Nagar etc.Experimental design, local crowdLate evening, cultural timeLocal flavor, less crowd

Notes on Past Recognition & Awards

Nagpur does not generally have grand city-wide puja award circuits like Kolkata’s Asian Paints Sharad Shamman, but within the local Bengali community and cultural societies, mandals often receive recognition in categories like:

  • Best Idol / Craftsmanship
  • Best Thematic Décor / Illumination
  • Best Cultural Programs / Evening Concerts
  • Best Community Management / Crowd Handling
  • Special Mentions for Creative Concepts

In prior years, Katol Road Puja Committee and PNBS have consistently been among the top in community rankings. Jaripatka Ki Rani has gained media buzz for bold idol design. Gaddigodam Adishakti has drawn attention for creative installations. Mandals like Rani Laxmibai and neighborhood ones get mentions for décor and accessibility. For 2025, many are likely to push boundaries in themes, lighting and multimedia.

Tips for Your Nagpur Durga Puja Experience

  • Timing matters: Morning darshan (before 9 am) is calmer; after sunset, pandals are in full lighting mode and cultural programs begin.
  • Crowd management: On major days (Ashtami, Navami), popular mandals see heavy footfall. Plan to enter early or visit smaller mandals in between.
  • Bhog & cuisine: Many mandals serve Bengali-style bhog (khichuri, labra, sweets) and local hospitality. Be cautious of queues.
  • Photography: Allowed broadly, but inside sanctum or ritual zones may have restrictions — abide by notices and volunteer guidance.
  • Dress & personal comfort: Wear modest, comfortable clothing; carry water and umbrella (in case of surprise weather).
  • Mapping & navigation: Preload mandal addresses and major landmarks — many aren’t on big signage, so ask local volunteers or auto drivers.
  • Stay hydrated & safety: Crowd density in evenings can rise; kids and elders may need more breaks. Note nearest restrooms and exit routes.

Why Nagpur’s Durga Puja Scene in 2025 Is Worth Noting

Nagpur’s Durga Puja is evolving: what was once a niche community event is now a citywide cultural moment. Here’s what sets 2025 apart:

  1. Ambitious Themes & Installations: From floating idols to LED storytelling, many mandals are pushing creative envelope.
  2. Growing Cultural Integration: Local Marathi, Hindi, and pan-Indian communities often join festivities; you may see parallel musical acts or bilingual announcements.
  3. Neighborhood Reach: The expansion of puja mandals into areas like Gaddigodam, Jaripatka, Shankar Nagar helps spread access.
  4. Steady Institutional Mandals: Longstanding ones like Katol Road and PNBS provide structure and scale, anchoring the festival.
  5. Media & Social Buzz: Mandals are increasingly covered in local news and social media for dramatic idol designs or creative themes.
  6. Improved Logistics & Civic Involvement: The Nagpur Municipal Corporation’s NOC and immersion rules, crowd permissions and water bodies used for idol immersion are being more tightly regulated (some local controversy over fees for NOCs).

Suggested Itinerary for 2–3 Days of Pandal Hopping

  • Day 1 (Morning to Evening): Start at Katol Road in morning; visit PNBS late morning; head to Jaripatka Ka Rani for afternoon; evening move to Ganjipeth for storytelling visuals.
  • Day 2: Morning local mandal in Somalwada / Wardhaman; midday Rani Laxmibai / Laxmi Nagar; evening at Adishakti Gaddigodam for floating idol display.
  • Day 3 (if extended): Revisit your favorite mandal for final rituals or attend one of the less visited neighborhood pandals for quieter darshan. Be sure to attend Vijayadashami / immersion (visarjan) in your nearest designated water body for farewell rituals.

Disclaimer

This guide is an original composition created to help devotees and visitors plan their 2025 Durga Puja visits in Nagpur. Pandal locations, program schedules, themes and recognition may change — always verify details locally via mandal announcements or signage closer to Puja dates.