REST CAMP KALIBARI SARBAJANIN DURGA PUJA COMMITTEE, PANDU, GUWAHATI: A bamboo and cane pandal with bamboo art interiors houses Durga carved out of wood at the 54th puja. Worship is, however, before traditional clay idols. The theme of the seven illumined gates is current topics. The famous Durga Puja Mela in the nearby field continues to be the Puja’s best feature.

BINAPANI SANGHA, ATHGAON, GUWAHATI: The trimming of the 72nd Puja is the illumined gate of Rongmon, the mascot of the 33rd National Games. Rath and Bharatmata illuminations also share stage. Goddess Durga sitting in a royal chair acts as the judge at heaven’s door.

NAYANTARA CLUB PUJA SAMITY, BHARALUMUKH, GUWAHATI: It is a techno-savvy Puja. A moving idol of Durga slays the buffalo inside which Mahisasur takes shelter and then vanishes. Kartik flies with his cult-bird, Mayur. The illumination that guides pandal-hoppers includes Mini Mouse, Tom and Jerry and other cartoon characters. The main gate to the 14th Puja pandal is a mayurpankhi boat on the Thames.

LAKSHMI MANDIR SARBAJANIN DURGA PUJA COMMITTEE, BELTOLA, GUWAHATI: The theme is destruction. Images of Lakshmi, Saraswati, Kartik, Ganesh and their cult-animals stand amid ruined ancient temples. An angry Durga riding a dola (palanquin), rips Mahisasur’s neck after a battle and vanishes into the clouds on an elephant’s back. The illumination themes at the 35th Puja are waterlogged city streets and logos of the top cable TV channels.

LACHIT JYOTI SANGHA SARBAJANIN DURGATSOV, LACHITNAGAR, GUWAHATI: Walk through the Ranghar gate, past a fountain, flanked by parks into the 36th Puja pandal for a light-and-sound effect of Goddess Durga’s battle with Mahisasur. A mobile image of Durga appears from a ray of light and battles with the demon, which rides a fire-spitting crocodile.

DISPUR BARWARI PUJA MANDAP, GANESHGURI, GUWAHATI: The setting is a painted background of the sea and sky. An angry Durga and a giant-sized Mahisasur rises from the water at the 21st Puja.

RAJGARH DURGOTSAV SAMITY, RAJGARH, GUWAHATI: Idols and festivities of the 30th Puja is in the traditional mould.

MANIPURI BASTI SARBAJANIN DURGA PUJA COMMITTEE, MANIPURI BASTI, GUWAHATI: Celebrating its 28th Durgotsav, the pandal is a replica of Hyderabad’s Charminar.

AMERICAN COLONY SARBAJANIN DURGOTSAV, PANDU, GUWAHATI: Celebrating its 46th Saradiya Utsav, the Puja’s highpoint is the large fair in a field near the pandal.

GUWAHATI BARWARI PUJA COMMITTEE, PALTAN BAZAR, GUWAHATI: Chandipath and an elegant pandal interior is the 62nd Puja’s USP.

KAMARPATTY DURGA PUJA COMMITTEE, KAMARPATTY, GUWAHATI: The main attraction is the giant-sized Mahisasur.

BISHNUPUR BIMALANAGAR SARBAJANIN DURGA PUJA COMMITTEE, BISHNUPUR, GUWAHATI: The theme is very modern. Kartik aims an arrow towards Mahisasur, while Durga holds him with a chain. The artwork inside the huge 38th Puja pandal also dazzles the eyes.

FANCY BAZAR PUJA SAMITY RELIGIOUS CHARITABLE TRUST, RAILWAY GATE NO 4, GUWAHATI: The 72nd Puja worships Dasadurga, the ten faces of the goddess.

GUWAHATI MAHANAGAR AROKSHI BAHINI DURGA PUJA COMMITTEE, PANBAZAR, GUWAHATI: The idols of Durga and her entourage are traditional and simple. It is the cultural function that draws crowds.

BILPAR DURGA BARI PUJA COMMITTEE, SILCHAR: The 75th Puja’s pandal is a replica of the famous rock temple of Kanyakumari. Illumination and other decorations are minimal.

THE SONAI ROAD SARBAJANIN DURGA PUJA COMMITTEE, SILCHAR: Gujarat’s Akshardham temple has been recreated in this Puja. Illumination depicting events like the Mumbai terrorist blasts, the Nasik Kumbh Mela tragedy and the Vidyasagar Setu in Calcutta are the main attractions.

MADHYA SAHAR PUJA COMMITTEE, NARSINGTOLA, SILCHAR: A secular touch has been given to the pandal of the 57-year Puja with the shape and look of a Roman church. The main attraction is the adjacent colourful mini-stage where cultural soirees —featuring traditional Bengali songs and dances — will be held.

ANANDA PARISHAD PUJA COMMITTEE, TARAPUR, SILCHAR: The look is that of the Krishna temple at Vrindavan at the 72-year Puja. Terracotta motif has been drawn on the outer facade of the huge pandal to add to the old-world look.

KALIMOHAN ROAD PUJA COMMITTEE, TARAPUR, SILCHAR: In its silver jubilee year, it has added a touch of exotic by blending traditional artistry with modern illumination. The entire pandal in mud and clay has been set up for the first time in the Northeast by artisans of Krishnanagar, West Bengal.

YUBA SAMITI DURGA PUJA, HAILAKANDI: All roads lead to a giant pandal in the replica of the Belur Math near Calcutta. The 67-year Puja has succeeded in creating an ambience of make-believe. Like every year over 2,000 poor people will be given new dhotis, saris and shirts.

AMOLLAPATTY RAJHUA NAMGHAR DURGA PUJA SAMITY, NEW AMOLLAPATTY, DIBRUGARH: Into its 131st year, it is one of the oldest Pujas in Assam. The idol of goddess Durga is traditional and the Puja performed according to Vedic rites.

INDIA CLUB AND THEATRICAL INSTITUTION DURGA PUJA, MARWARIPATTY, DIBRUGARH: Simplicity is its hallmark. Decoration is minimal in the pandal, which is a permanent structure. A Bengali play by Bhabikaal is set to be a big draw at this 116th Puja.

GYANDAYINI MANDIR PUJA COMMITTEE, P.N. ROAD, DIBRUGARH: The 68th Puja is being celebrated inside a permanent structure. The Puja’s specialities are its cultural programmes.

GOLAP CHANDRA-RABI CHANDRA DURGA PUJA SAMITY, TINKUNIA PUKHURI, TINSUKIA: First started by the British in 1901, and into its 102th year now, the Puja’s speciality is the golden-coloured images of the goddess and her entourage. Decoration inside the permanent pandal is minimal.

DURGABARI PUJA SAMITY, RANGAGORA ROAD, TINSUKIA: The 76th celebrations this year are as extravagant as on its diamond jubilee last year. The huge idol of the goddess sparkles in gorgeous illumination.

MANAB KALYAN TRUST DURGA PUJA SAMITY, BANK COLONY, TINSUKIA: Lots of colour, showcasing the Rajasthani way of life, dazzles the eyes at the 54th Puja. The idols are in the traditional mould. Chatwallahs, specially hired from Rajasthan, is adding spice to the festive season.

BANK COLONY DURGA PUJA COMMITTEE, DIMAPUR: Away from hustle-bustle, the 27th Puja is simple and attractive. Like in the past, talented artistes are enacting the different gods and goddesses.

KALIBARI DURGA PUJA, DIMAPUR: Celebrating Durgotsav since 1950, the Puja’s main attraction are the cultural programmes. The 100-metre entrance to the temple is decorated with lights.

DURGA MANDIR, DIMAPUR: The complex is centrally located and the Puja hall has been done up with natural materials.

PROGRESSIVE YOUTH ASSOCIATION, BURMA CAMP, DIMAPUR: The 11th Puja is a sponsored affair. Banners of a few houses like WILL IIT, New India Assurance and Khadi Village and Industrial Board share pandal space.

MATRI MANDIR DURGA PUJA, POLO BAZAR, SHILLONG: Tradition is the key to this Puja. There is no separate pandal or awning but a permanent enclosure beside the temple’s sanctum sanctorum, which is specifically devoted to Durga Puja celebrations. The deity is cast in the ekchala mould and created by Samir Pal, a Nagaon artisan. The replica of a nat mandir has been erected on the courtyard.

JAGANNATH MANDIR DURGA PUJA, POLICE BAZAR, SHILLONG: This Puja has always been a huge crowd-puller. The deity, adorned in the daker saaj, has been moulded by Paresh Chandra Pal. Apart from a temple facade at the entrance to the nat mandir — also called the opera hall — there is no formal pandal.

JAIL ROAD PUJA, JAIL ROAD, SHILLONG: This Puja, a year short of its centenary celebrations, has gone all out to make its mark. The pandal, simulated from Vrindavan’s Pagla Baba’s ashram, has been designed in brown and white. The mandap’s plush interiors have been inspired by the inside of an airbus. The deity, clad in a Benarasi sari, has been fashioned in the aat Bangla style though there are touches of daker saaj, too.

SANATON DHARMASHABHA HARISHABHA PUJA, SHILLONG: This Puja in Laban, which started in 1896, showcases rich tradition. All the idols are clad in heavily brocaded Jari and to go with it daker saaj as well. Well-known singers like Rudra Roy, Pintu Goswami and Satyajit Banerjee from West Bengal have been invited.

ASSAM HINDU MISSION, SHILLONG: Though the deity is not cast in the traditional ekchala mould, Kumari Puja, which signifies tradition in Hinduism upholding female dignity will still be performed on Mahastami day. Shillong artisans have created the deity in daker saaj. The divine bhog, comprising saath sabji saath bhaja, paayas and misti on Saptami followed by an aat sabji aat bhaja, payas and misti on Astami are added attarctions.

MALKI-DHANKHETI-LACHUMIERE PUJA, SHILLONG: This 53-year-old Puja is a shining example of community participation spread over three localities. Artists from Navadeep in West Bengal have created a backdrop depicting Durga’s journey to her father’s house.

RAJASTHANI DHARMASHALA PUJA, LUCKIER ROAD, SHILLONG: This Puja by the Marwari community is one of the most famous destinations. Largely because the deity, carefully cast in the non-traditional mould, adorns a Benarasi sari in the Rajasthani style. The pure vegetarian canteen outside the dharmshala is famous for its savouries like jelebis, samosas, phuchkas and pav bhajis.

NEPALI DURGA PUJA, POLO GROUND, SHILLONG: The Puja, held in typical rituals of the Nepali community, has a special attraction — the over-10-feet tall demon and the weapons of Durga. The pandal is modelled on a Rajasthani fort.

ASSAMESE LABAN NAMGHAR PUJA, SHILLONG: In its 81st year, this Puja is special because it brings together the believers of Sankardev and others to perform the Puja in Sattriya rituals — Chandi Dhayana, Aarati and Naam Jaap by the women and dhulakias from Assam’s Nalbari playing the drums.

RILBONG DURGA PUJA, SHILLONG: The centre of attraction is a social get-together where community feasts like anna bhog on Saptami followed by khichdi bhog for the next two days.

U TIROT NAGAR SARODYA UTSAV SAMITY, SHILLONG: The nine-feet deity is of basanti (pale yellow) shade. Traditionally, Durga Puja in Bengal is performed during basant (spring), hence the colour.

AGIYE CHALO SANGHA, MELARMATH, AGARTALA: One of the oldest clubs of the town, Agiye Chalo Sangha, is celebrating its 56th Puja.

KER CHOWMUHUNI COMMUNITY PUJA, AGARTALA: Like in the past two years, this Puja will also be devoid of grandeur because of funds crunch.

NETAJI PLAY FORUM, AGARTALA: The special attraction of the 42nd Puja is a 90-feet-tall pandal made of bamboo and cane replicating the temple at Prabhas Paton. A flower show and fair for children are the other attractions.

AIKATAN YUBA SANGHA, AGARTALA: Nitai Pal, who made an image of Durga in London last year, has made the idol for the 48th Puja. The theme is snakes and prizes will be given each day to viewers who can count the number and variety of the reptiles on the image. The pandal is made of dry coconut skin.

MOUCHAK CLUB, AGARTALA: The main feature of the 45th Puja is distribution of prasad and clothes to the poor on Saptami and Navami. A cultural programme, featuring artistes from Calcutta, is another attraction.

SAMHATI CLUB, AGARTALA: President’s medal winner Subash Roy has created a wax pandal to house the traditional images of Durga and her entourage. A musical show with artistes from Calcutta will also be held.

RAMTHAKUR SANGHA, AGARTALA: The Meenakshi temple in Madurai has been recreated in bamboo and cane at the 40th Puja.

CHILDREN’S PARK PUJA, IMPHAL: The pandal is being modelled on Parliament House.