Kolkata Durga Puja 2025: The Ultimate Guide — 25+ Must-Visit Pandals, Area-wise Tour & Day-by-Day Itinerary

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Himanshu
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Durga Puja in Kolkata is the city’s heartbeat every autumn — a heady mix of devotion, art, food and community theatre. For 2025, the pandal scene promises another spectacular season of traditional excellence, ambitious themes, and creative experiments. This guide lists 25–30 famous pandals grouped area-wise, gives location and special attractions for each, notes notable past recognitions where available, and finishes with practical, day-wise itineraries to help you cover the best of Kolkata’s Durga Puja in a few well-planned days.

Note: the pandals listed are among those that regularly attract attention during Durga Puja season; exact attractions, timings and any awards for 2025 may be announced closer to festival days.

Quick overview: how to use this guide

  1. The pandals are grouped by area so you can plan short, walkable routes.
  2. Individual pandals are numbered within each area for easy reference.
  3. Read the suggested day-wise plans after the lists — they string together nearby pandals for a smooth hop.
  4. A compact comparison table near the end helps you pick pandals by interest (tradition, theme, photography, family-friendly, food).

NORTH KOLKATA (Heritage & Rajbari traditions)

These pandals preserve old-world grandeur — ornate idols, historic rituals and the Rajbari (zamindar house) style.

  1. Bagbazar Sarbojanin — Location: Bagbazar
    Special attraction: One of Kolkata’s oldest community pujas, known for classical rituals, enormous devotional crowds and a stately, old-Kolkata ambience. Frequently cited among the city’s flagship pujas.
  2. Kumartuli Park (Kumartuli) — Location: Near Kumartuli potters’ quarter
    Special attraction: Idols from the heart of Kumartuli itself — superb sculpting detail and a strong traditional vibe; a photographer’s favourite in early morning light.
  3. Shobhabazar Rajbari — Location: Shobhabazar
    Special attraction: Rajbari-style grandeur, classical emblems, period costumes and royal processional motifs reminiscent of old Kolkata aristocratic celebrations.
  4. Sovabazar Beniatola — Location: Beniatola Road
    Special attraction: Deeply traditional puja with ritualistic precision, historical legacy and strong local participation.
  5. Ahiritola Sarbojonin — Location: Ahiritola
    Special attraction: Creative themes fused with religiosity; popular for artistic installations and evocative lighting.

CENTRAL KOLKATA (Iconic lakeside and cultural hubs)

This area blends poetic settings (lake reflections) with longstanding cultural pujas.

  1. College Square Sarbojanin — Location: College Square Lake (near BBD Bagh / Central Kolkata)
    Special attraction: The idol’s reflection in the lake at dusk is an iconic Durga Puja image; excellent for photographers and evening ambience.
  2. Baguiati / Girish Park cluster (central overlaps) — Location: Central junctions
    Special attraction: A cluster of well-established pandals with lively cultural programs and food stalls.
  3. Mohammad Ali Park — Location: Near Park Street/Esplanade area
    Special attraction: Large, thematic displays and a longstanding tradition of spectacular, crowd-pulling setups.
  4. Ekdalia Evergreen — Location: Ekdalia Road area (central stretch)
    Special attraction: Known for elaborate themes and municipal praise during festival coverage.

SOUTH KOLKATA (Modern themed pandals & family neighbourhoods)

South Kolkata offers a mix of mega-pandals and well-run community pujas with great food.

  1. Jodhpur Park Sarbojonin — Location: Jodhpur Park
    Special attraction: One of south Kolkata’s best-known pujas with quality decor, family-friendly programs and popular food bazaars.
  2. Deshapriya Park / 26 Pally area — Location: Deshapriya Park & surrounding localities
    Special attraction: A cluster of community pujas known for cultural shows and local prizes for best decoration.
  3. Suruchi Sangha (Salimpur / Jadavpur vicinity) — Location: South Kolkata neighborhoods
    Special attraction: Noted for classical tableau and well-orchestrated sandhi puja timings.
  4. Baidyanath (local stalwarts in south zones) — Location: residential colonies
    Special attraction: Intimate pandal atmosphere, authentic home-style bhog and loyal local patronage.

EAST & SALT LAKE / EM BYPASS (Contemporary & theme-heavy pandals)

Newer housing clusters and cultural centres here stage ambitious, theme-based pandals.

  1. Santosh Mitra Square / Lebutala — Location: Central-east pocket (Lebutala)
    Special attraction: Frequently headlines for innovative artistry and topical themes; known to draw citywide crowds.
  2. Salt Lake Cultural Forum (examples of large Salt Lake pujas) — Location: Salt Lake (Bidhannagar)
    Special attraction: Modern thematic engineering, performance line-ups and well-managed crowd control.
  3. Sreebhumi Sporting Club — Location: Sreebhumi area (north-east pockets)
    Special attraction: One of the city’s mega-pandals with cinematic sets and scale that draw large tourist crowds.
  4. EM Bypass themed pandals (various societies) — Location: EM Bypass stretch
    Special attraction: Newer societies experimenting with eco-themes, interactive exhibits and family events.

WEST KOLKATA & HOWRAH SIDE (Large community pujas, suburban grandeur)

These zones include expansive pandals and often spectacular structural art.

  1. Singhi Park / Girish Park rivals — Location: West-central cluster
    Special attraction: Big crowds, strong cultural programmes and elaborate multi-day stage events.
  2. Hatibagan Sarbojanin — Location: Hatibagan market area
    Special attraction: Market-side puja with old-Kolkata street energy, authentic bhog stalls and mass participation.
  3. Telengabagan and neighboring North Park pujas — Location: North Kolkata market aisles
    Special attraction: Heritage motifs blended with contemporary installations.

SUBURBAN & OUTER RING (Creative, spacious and family-friendly)

Suburban pandals often have room for larger sets, parking, and well-organised programming.

  1. Srijan / Housing society themed pujas — Location: Rajarhat, New Town, outer suburbs
    Special attraction: Theme-based art installations, eco-friendly materials, community outreach initiatives.
  2. Baranagar / Dumdum community pujas — Location: North suburbs
    Special attraction: Regional flair with strong devotional traditions and local performing arts.
  3. Bansdroni / Garia cluster — Location: South-east suburbs
    Special attraction: Local culture blends with street food and family entertainment.
  4. Sankarpur / Behala (including Barisha-Charchapara) — Location: Behala belt
    Special attraction: Large community pujas that are historically popular and well organised.
  5. Kolkata fringe creative pujas (multiple societies) — Location: various fringe neighbourhoods
    Special attraction: Emerging theme pujas and those experimenting with eco-materials and social messages.

26–30. Other notable community pandals — Location: scattered across Ballygunge, Park Circus, New Market peripheries
Special attraction: Each offers either a strong ritual focus, photogenic decor, or outstanding food bazaars.

Why these pandals? Many of the pandals above are perennial favourites in the city’s Durga Puja circuit due to a mix of history, scale, artistry and community participation. Local recognition and media coverage in previous seasons have regularly highlighted College Square, Bagbazar, Kumartuli Park, Sreebhumi and Jodhpur Park among top attractions in Kolkata’s annual puja calendar. Durga Puja Parikrama+1

Winners & Recognition — who usually tops local lists?

Kolkata does not have one single city-wide formal award like some other puja hubs, but local media, cultural forums and community polls frequently single out certain pandals for excellence. Historically and in recent seasons, Bagbazar Sarbojanin, College Square, Kumartuli Park, Sreebhumi and Jodhpur Park have repeatedly been acknowledged in lists of standout pandals for design, tradition and crowd appeal. These recognitions are drawn from local festival coverage and popular pandal itineraries. Durga Puja Parikrama+1

How to plan pandal-hopping: practical tips

  • Best days: Panchami to Nabami — mornings (8.30–11.00) and early evenings (4.30–7.30) are ideal to experience decor and rituals with manageable crowds. Major rituals (Ashtami, Sandhi Puja) draw intense evening crowds. The Times of India
  • Travel: Use metro where possible (College Street, Girish Park, Park Street areas) and then walk short stretches. For clusters (e.g., north Kolkata), plan walking circuits. For Salt Lake and New Town, cabs/auto rickshaws are practical.
  • Timing per pandal: Allocate 30–90 minutes depending on size and whether there’s a cultural show.
  • Food: Try bhog and local sweets at community stalls; popular pandals have long lines during peak hours. Carry small change.
  • Photography: Early morning for craftsmen details and dusk for lit reflections (College Square lake is iconic).
  • Crowd control: Avoid Ashtami evening unless you like dense crowds; if you must go, arrive very early. Local police often manage peak-hour traffic — follow directions.

Suggested 3-day itinerary (area-wise, efficient routes)

Day 1 — North Kolkata heritage loop (start early)

  • Morning: Kumartuli Park → Bagbazar Sarbojanin → Sovabazar Beniatola
  • Afternoon: Shobhabazar Rajbari (lunch nearby) → Ahiritola Sarbojanin
  • Evening: College Square for lake reflections and sunset photography.

Day 2 — Central to South cultural circuit

  • Morning: Mohammad Ali Park → Girish Park cluster (several pandals)
  • Afternoon: Jodhpur Park (lunch and rest) → Deshapriya Park area pandals
  • Evening: Suruchi / major south Kolkata pandal for cultural shows.

Day 3 — East / Salt Lake & Suburban explorations

  • Morning: Santosh Mitra Square / Lebutala area → Salt Lake thematic puja(s)
  • Afternoon: Sreebhumi (if open) and EM Bypass themed pandals → New Town housing society displays
  • Evening: Finish at a suburban large pandal (e.g., Uttaran-type or Behala big puja) for relaxed viewing and food.

Handy comparison table

InterestBest pandals to prioritise
Traditional & historic ritualBagbazar, Sovabazar, Shobhabazar Rajbari
Photography & reflectionsCollege Square
Mega scale & cinematic themesSreebhumi, Santosh Mitra Square
Family & foodJodhpur Park, Deshapriya Park
New-age themes & eco pujasSalt Lake societies, New Town housing pujas

Final tips & etiquette

  • Dress modestly inside pandals; be respectful during aarti and pushpanjali.
  • Keep noise to a minimum near rituals; ask before taking candid photos of devotees.
  • Hydrate, carry essential medicines and follow local volunteer guidelines for queues.

Disclaimer

This article is an original, practical guide to popular Durga Puja pandals in Kolkata in 2025. It compiles widely observed patterns, perennial favourites and practical planning advice to help visitors and locals enjoy pandal-hopping. Specific pandal themes, schedules, performance line-ups and any awards or recognitions for 2025 will be confirmed by individual committees and local announcements; readers should check final schedules and local notices on the festival dates. Some statements in this guide are supported by recent festival listings and local pandal guides. Durga Puja Parikrama+1