Block: AA
Year: 41st
Budget: Rs 7 lakh
Location: Community hall and the space in front
The look: The pandal will resemble a village hut made of mud and hay and the idol will be traditional.
Fun funda: Panchami- Inauguration by MLA Sujit Bose, children’s do-as-you-like. Ekadashi- Drama Abar Bochhor Pnochish Por. Written by resident Arnab Kumar Bhattacharya, it is about a reunion of characters from Satyajit Ray films such as Hirak Raja, Feluda and Apu as a tribute to Ray, who passed away 25 years ago. Dwadashi- guest artistes to perform Hindi and Bengali songs.
Food fiesta: Saptami- Rice, dal, alu bhaja, sukto, chhanar dalna, chutney, sweets. Ashtami- Koraishutir kochuri, alur dom, veg chop, mixed vegetable, chutney, sweets. Navami- Khichuri, beguni, labra, sweets, payesh.
Block: AB
Year: 40th
Budget: Rs 9 lakh
Location: Outside AB community hall
The look: The pandal is inspired by a Bankura temple and the idol too will have a touch of rural Bengal. Visitors will get to enjoy music, lathi khela etc by artistes from Bankura and Birbhum.
Fun funda: Panchami- Inauguration, agomoni songs by ladies club Rupsha, felicitation of students who have performed well in Board exams, dance, music, prize distribution for antakshari, sit and draw, alpona and conchshell-blowing
completions that took place on Mahalaya. Ekadashi- solo dance performances.
Food fiesta: Saptami- Khichuri, labra, papad, chutney, payesh, rosogolla. Ashtami- Luchi, chholar dal, dhokar dalna, chutney, papad. Navami- Pulao, chhanar kofta, alur dom, chutney, sweets.
Block: AC
Year: 40th
Budget: Rs 20 lakh
Location: Community hall and park
The look: The idol is by Sanatan Pal and the pandal is a replica of Karnataka’s Assembly building.
Fun funda: Panchami- Opening by Rajesh daitapati of Puri’s Jagannath temple. Sashthi- Devotional music by residents. Saptami- Dance drama Pujor Anando by kids. Ashtami- Musical tribute to Salil Chowdhury. Navami- Manoj Mitra’s play Dampati by residents.
Food fiesta: Saptami- Rice, dal, alu bhaja, sukto, fulkopir tarkari, echorer dalna, chutney, payesh. Ashtami- Khichuri, luchi, beguni, alur dom, bnadhakopir tarkari, chhnychra, chutney, payesh. Navami- Fried rice, alur dom, paneer pasinda, vegetable cutlet, alu potol, chutney, sweets.
Block: AD
Year: 39th
Budget: Rs 12 lakh
Location: Outside the community hall
The look: The pandal’s exterior is a replica of the Parliament house and interiors are like a thakur dalan. The idol is traditional.
Fun funda: Panchami- Inauguration by SDO Saikat Chakrabarty and music by residents. Sashthi- Agomoni songs, recitation, dance on a musical collage of violin and sarod. Saptami- Residents to perform Rabindrasangeet, audio
drama and children’s play Runjhuner Bondhu. Ashtami- Comedy skit by boys, contemporary Bengali and Hindi songs and guitar recital. Navami- Drama Ek Je Chhilo Desh, recitation and audio drama.
Food fiesta: Saptami- Fried rice, chilli paneer, vegetable curry, finger chips, papad, chutney, sweets. Ashtami- Khichuri, alur dom, vegetable curry, begun bhaja, chutney, sweets. Navami- Pulao, chholar dal, alu bhaja, kosha mangsho, fish curry, chutney, papad, sweets.
Block: AE (part 1)
Year: 34th
Budget: Rs 22 lakh
Location: An empty plot next to AE (Part 1) park
The look: This colourful pandal is inspired by some ancient art forms — that of the Kwoma tribe of New Guinea and tiki and totem carving styles of New Zealand. Theme-maker Souryajit Banerjee recreates the tribals’ geometric designs on thermocol, paper pulp, dried leaves and grass. The idol has a touch of this art too.
Fun funda: Chaturthi- Inauguration, followed by music. Sashthi- Synthesier performance by Ritambar Ray. Western music and dance. Saptami- Recitation, dance, music, drama Madol Matir Moutatey. Ashtami- Music and dances to Hindi songs by kids. Navami- Music, fusion dance, drama Chhnooch and dance item Love you Zindagi. Ekadashi- Quiz by Deb Kumar Maitra and antakshari.
Food fiesta: Saptami- Fried rice, Navratan paneer, alu matar, vegetable chop, chutney, papad, sweets, payesh. Ashtami- Luchi, dhokar dalna, alu fulkopir tarkari, vegetable chop, chutney, papad, payesh, bnode. Navami- Khichuri, labra, beguni, stuffed potato, alu fulkopir tarkari, chutney, papad, payesh, sweets.
Block: AE (part 2)
Year: 41st
Budget: Rs 16 lakh
Location: Park opposite AE Market
The look: The almanac says the goddess would arrive by boat this year and so the pandal will be shaped like a 100-ft bajra. There will be six smaller lifeboats attached to it.
Fun funda: Panchami- Inauguration by a monk from Belur Math, agomoni song by ladies club. Sashthi- Recitation, dance by students of Malashree, dancer Arpita Venkatesh’s institute in the block and children’s play Porer Upokar Korio Na. Saptami- Ladies stage Byapika Biday, followed by tribal dance by performers of the state information and culture department. Ashtami- Dance and recitation by Kothanadi, elocutionist Urmimala Basu’s institute in the block. Navami- Dance on Nari Shakti by Tandabik fusion dance group, recitation and dhunuchi dance. Ekadashi- Music by guest artiste Shantanu Roychowdhury.
Food fiesta: Saptami- Khichuri, labra, finger chips, papad, jalpai chutney, payesh. Ashtami- Luchi/ rice, chholar dal, alur dom, begun bhaja, papaya chutney, papad, siwai payesh. Navami- Pulao, paneer curry, stuffed potato, khejur and aamshotwer chutney, payesh.
Block: AG
Year: 31st
Budget: Rs 3 lakh
Location: Community hall
The look: Women and children of the block will decorate the hall themselves. The theme is “silver” and so paper cups are being painted silver and cut up to form flowers and other items to be hung on the walls. The idol too will be in silver daker saaj.
Fun funda: Panchami- Inauguration by a monk from Ramakrishna Mission followed by ladies’ chorus, kids’ dance and agomoni songs by a guest artiste.
Food fiesta: Saptami- Khichuri, labra, bhaja, chutney, papad, sweets. Ashtami- Fried rice, kochuri, paneer curry, fulkopir tarkari, chutney, papad, sweets. Navami- Rice, dal, bhaja, potol/ fulkopir tarkari, mutton curry, chutney, papad, sweets.
Block: AH
Year: 34th
Budget: Rs 12 lakh
Location: Two adjacent empty plots, AH 210 and AH 235. Enter from the Tank 7 approach.
The look: The pandal is shaped like a temple and bamboo sticks of different colours and lengths have been used to decorate it. The idol is traditional in daker saaj.
Fun funda: Panchami- Inauguration, followed by Manoj Mitra’s play Chokhe Angul Dada and miscellaneous performances. Sashthi- Ladies to stage a comic audio drama Bonani Sengupta’s Preme Preme Prosthan. Saptami- A dance drama inspired by Tagore’s Hori Khela. Navami- Western dance by kids and Rabindrasangeeet by guest artiste Sangeeta Majumdar.
Food fiesta: Ashtami- Luchi, chholar dal, veg chop, alu fulkopir tarkari, fried rice, paneer butter masala, chutney, rosogolla. Navami- Khichuri, labra, beguni, bandhakopir tarkari, chutney, papad, payesh.
Block: AJ
Year: 33rd
Budget: Rs 14 lakh
Location: AJ Park
The look: The idol will be traditional ekchala with a colourful daker saaj and the pandal will be a replica of a zamindar house. It will have statues of lions at the entrance, a thakurdalan etc.
Fun funda: Chaturthi- Inauguration. Panchami- Agomoni songs by residents, music collage Bajlo Tomar Alor Benu and dance collage on works of Tagore. There will also be recitation and a dance item called Ramdhenu. Sashthi- Music at 6am. Evening- dance item Let’s Rock ’n’ Roll, audio drama Jeeboner Gaan and women’s drama Ananda Nadu. Directed by Sanchali Das, this is a play with a social message of spreading peace and happiness. Saptami- Chandipath at 6am. Evening- Recitation and folk music with special emphasis on late Dohar frontman Kalikaprasad and the band. Also, kids’ play Bulbulitey Dhan Kheyechhe. Ashtami- A drum presentation by eight-year-old Aprotim Kundu, recitation, drama Shotti Bhooter Goppo, performance by singers from Zee Sa Re Ga Ma Pa. Navami- Recitation and dance Ami Shei Meye, depicting how ordinary women can invoke the strength of the goddesses. Dashami- Dhunuchi dance and conchshell-blowing contest in the evening. Ekadashi- Music by residents. A fair with stalls, rides and a ferris wheel will also take place at the ground opposite the pandal from Chaturthi to Dwadashi.
Food fiesta: Saptami- Khichuri, labra, beguni, alur dom, tomato chutney, payesh. Ashtami- Butter naan, dal makhani, vegetable kofta, vegetable pakora, papaya chutney, bnode, doi. Navami- Pulao, matar paneer, dhoka, vegetable chop, khejur-aam shotter chutney, kulfi.
Block: AK
Year: 30th
Budget: Rs 30 lakh
Location: AK Park
The look: The pandal is a tribute to Presidency College, which completes 200 years in 2017, as also women’s emancipation. The facade has a working clock. The walls tell a story of a tea-seller’s daughter in relief who gets educated amid a lot of hardship and finally cracks an interview to land a teaching job at the college. Visitors face an installation of an open book at the centre of the ground behind which is a chair with an inkpot.
Fun funda: Chaturthi- Inauguration at 7pm followed by panel discussion on women power in Indian politics. Recitation by Bratati Bandyopadhyay at 8.45pm. Panchami- Conchshell blowing and alpona drawing contests. Dance drama Draupadi and Mahishasuramardini by Mudra. Sashthi- Fusion band Banjara Notes. Saptami- Dance by students of resident Sriparna Bose. Ashtami- Dance drama by Taal the Beat, duet dance. Navami- Songs by residents.
Food fiesta: Saptami- Rice, ghee, sukto, alu bhaja, dal, chhanar dalna, chutney, papad, Komolabhog. Asthami- Khichuri, beguni, alu bhaja, labra, chutney, papad, payesh. Navami- Fried rice/ rice, mutton kasha, mourola jhal, ice cream. Dashami- Mutton biriyani (egg/chicken), salad.
Block: AL
Year: 19th
Budget: Rs 7 lakh
Location: AL Park
The look: The pandal will be the replica of a village hut, made of hay and mud.
Fun funda: Panchami- Inauguration, followed by agomoni songs, dance and recitation by children. Sashthi- Music, dance and fashion show for youngsters. Saptami- Bimal Gangopadhyay’s comedy Chhnuch, staged by ladies. Ashtami- Tiyash Dance Group to perform. Navami- Miscellaneous performances by kids and a musical collage titled Gaane Gaane Sangathi.
Food fiesta: Saptami- Khichuri, beguni, labra, chutney, papad, payesh, bnode. Ashtami- Radhaballavi, chholar dal, Kashmiri alur dom, chutney, sweets. Navami- Rice, dal, machher matha diye bnadhakopi, machher kalia/paneer, chutney, sweet. Dashami (contributory)- Rice, mutton curry, chutney, sweets.
Block: BA
Year: 38th
Budget: Rs 10 lakh
Location: Community hall
The look: The idol will be traditional
Fun funda: Sashthi- Opening by a monk, agomoni songs. Saptami- Anandamela, where women will sell home-made food and a Santhal group will present tribal dance. Ashtami- Dhunuchi dance by residents. Navami- Dandiya and conchshell-blowing contest. Ekadashi- Felicitation of students who have cleared Board exams, dance by tots, children’s dance drama Maa Durga and Down Memory Lane. Dwadashi- Drama, dance and music programme Tujhe Salaam. Trayodoshi- Manoj Mitra’s play Dampati.
Food fiesta: Saptami- Dehradun rice, sukto, alu bhaja, dal, fulkopir tarkari, pulao, chhanar kofta, chutney, papad, sweets. Ashtami- Luchi, kochuri, begun bhaja, narkol diye chholar dal, alur dom, bnadhakopir tarkari, chutney, papad, sweets. Navami- Khichuri, beguni, alu pakora, labra, kopir tarkari, payesh, chutney, bnode. Ekadashi (dinner)-Mutton biriyani, chicken chap, egg devil.
Block: BB
Year: 44th
Budget: Rs 18 lakh
Location: BB Park
The look: At first glance, visitors will see a huge installation of a Krishna devotee’s face above the pandal. Upon approaching it, they will experience a Vrindavan-like ambience with a statue of lord Krishna playing the flute. Next they will see images of Jagannath, Balaram and Subhadra and then a Balaji idol in a zone that will replicate the interiors of the Tirupati temple. Finally visitors would reach the Durga idol. This would drive home the message that these are all manifestations of the same god.
Fun funda: Chaturthi- Opening, chorus of agomoni songs, directed by Nandita Chattopadhyay. Ekadashi- A collage of Tagore’s patriotic songs directed by Gouri Chakraborty. More music and audio drama Koloho Kirtan directed by Suchitrita Ghosh and Ruby Gangopadhyay. Dwadashi- Dance Anandadhara bohichhe bhubaney, directed by Ruby Ganguly. Music and play Siddhidata, directed by Bijan Ghosh.
Food fiesta: Saptami- Pulao, alur dom, kumri, dhoka, alu matter paneer, chutney, papad, payesh, rasogolla. Ashtmai- Radhaballavai, Kashmiri alur dom, chholar dal, veg chop, chutney, papad, payesh, mihidana. Navami- Khichuri, beguni, labra, badhakopir tarkari, chutney, papad, payesh, bnonde.
Block: BC
Year: 41st
Budget: Rs 14 lakh
Location: Plot near community hall
The look: The pandal will be shaped like an inverted U with a trident on the top. The pandal will be decorated with the goddess’s weapons. The idol will be traditional with golden daker saaj.
Fun funda: Chaturthi- Inauguration by Swami Punnatmananda and welcome songs by the block’s ladies group. Panchami- Anandamela where women will sell home-made food, music, drama and a dance drama based on cartoons like Chhota Bheem, Hanuman and Pokemon. Sashthi- Solo performances, agomoni songs and dance drama Radha. Saptami- Ladies to stage comedy drama Bibaho Bibhrat. Ashtami- Dance drama by a guest troupe. Navami- Dhunuchi dance competition.
Food fiesta: Saptami- Khichuri, labra, chutney, papad, payesh, sweets. Ashtami- Peas kachuri, alur dom, chholar dal, begun bhaja, chutney, sweets. Navami- Pulao, navaratna korma, veg chop, chutney, payesh. Dashami- Rice, dal, fish curry, alu bhaja, mutton curry, chutney, sweets.
Block: BD
Year: 39th
Budget: Rs 13.5 lakh
Location: BD Park
The look: A peacock sits atop the entrance, set to fly the chariot-shaped pandal along. Figures of gods curved in thermocol adorn the walls.
Fun fiesta: Panchami- Inauguration and distribution of clothes to 30 kids by Kripanathananda Maharaj of Swami Vivekananda’s Ancestral House and Cultural Centre at 7pm, Audio drama Abaseshey by block women, dance drama Sagarika. Sasthi- Sit and draw contest for kids at 9.30am. From 7.30pm, songs and recitation by residents. Dance drama Susamay, Samay, Asamay by tots. Manoj Mitra’s play Sandhyatara by residents. Saptami- Dance extravaganza directed by Bipasha Mitra. Ashtami- Sponsored programme, musical troupe Re Ga Dha Ma from 9pm. Navami- Guest singers will take stage.
Food funda: Saptami- Khichudi, labda, beguni, chutney, papad, payesh. Ashtami- luchi, alur dom, pulao, dhokar dalna, begun bhaja, chutney, papad, bnode. Navami- rice, dal, alu bhaja, muri ghonto, fish kalia, chutney, papad, kamala bhog.
Block: BE (EAST)
Year: 38th
Budget: Rs 15 lakh
Location: An empty plot at BE 365
The look: A milk-white open-air natmandir with a petal-rimmed cover only over the goddess.
Fun fiesta: Inauguration on Chaturthi by Rajesh daitapati of the Jagannath temple, Puri at 8pm, opening song and dance; Panchami- Women’s play Dampati at 7.30pm; Sashthi- Dance drama Agomoni by local kids.
Food funda: Saptami- Luchi, alur dom, alu kopir torkari, chutney, papad; Ashtami- khichudi, luchi, polao, chhanar kofta, dhokar dalna, chutney, papad, sweets; Navami- rice, daal, machher matha diye daal, jhuri alubhaja, fish fry, fish kalia, chutney, papad, sweets.
Block: BE (West)
Year: 34th
Budget: Rs 10 lakh
Location: BE Park
The look: A hut in rural Bengal, flanked by two paddy storehouses, with traditional ekchala idol.
Fun fiesta: Inauguration on Chaturthi at 7 pm by Surottamananda Maharaj of Ramakrishna Mission Institute of Culture, with stotrapath by Debika Bhattacharya. Panchami- Opening dance, agomoni songs by Sarada Sangha, recitation and songs by guest group Hridmajhare. Sashthi- opening song, duet dance by Mihika Khanna and Nilanjana Dey, solo dance by Saumyadeep Basu, group music and dance drama. Saptami- Sit and draw contest for children at 11am. From 7pm, opening song, classical dance, solo dance and play Badal Sircar’s Solution X by residents. Ashtami- Couple game show and music-recitation duet by guest artistes Prabal Ganguly and Kajal Gupta. Navami- Conchshell-blowing contest, opening song, solo dance, recitation, group dances. Vijaya Sammelani on October 2 at 6pm.
Food funda: Saptami- Khichuri, labda, beguni, mixed pakoda, alur dom, chutney, papad, payesh. Ashtami- Luchi, kachuri, chholar dal, alu-kumro-patal-narkol chhokka, alur dom, chutney, papad, halwa. Navami- Kachuri, phulkopir dalna, dal, pulao, matar paneer, jilipi, sweets.
Block: BF
Year: 39th
Budget: Rs 14 lakh
Location: BF children’s park
The look: Disneyland is being replicated. The pandal resembles the castle of the amusement park in Florida and inside are paintings, murals and models of nine female Disney characters. The Snow White mural has the seven dwarfs surrounding her but has space for a visitor slip in and click a selfie. The Rapunzel mannequin gets a tower from which her long braid will flow to the ground. Theme-maker Sital Das has also painted the Nava Durga forms around the sanctum sanctorum.
Fun funda: Sashthi- Inauguration by mayor Sabyasachi Dutta, and dance programme Naibedya directed by resident Ananya Chakraborty. Saptami- Dance, music and dance drama Rater Kusum. Ashtami- Manoj Mitra’s play Sukh Sari staged by residents. Navami- Devotional dance drama, Tagore’s dance drama Tasher Desh and Hindi and Bengali songs by a guest band.
Food fiesta: Saptami- Khichuri, labda, beguni, chutney, papad, sweets. Ashtami- Luchi, dal, alur dom, chutney, papad, sweets. Navami- Rice, dal, alu bhaja, fish curry, chutney, papad, sweets. Dashami- Rice, dal, paneer, chutney, papad, sweets.
Block: BG
Year: 33rd
Budget: Rs 18 lakh
Location: BG community hall and the space outside
The look: The theme nari shakti will be represented through paintings on wooden panels. These will be illuminated by lights made to shine through silk sheets.
Fun funda: Panchami- Inauguration by a monk from Bharat Sevasram Sangha, followed by music and dance. Sashthi- Drama Swapna Siddha, directed by Rahul Sengupta and miscellaneous items. Saptami- Music, dance, comedy Bhushundir Math, directed by Suman Sengupta. Navami- Drama Pratham Partho directed by Rahul Sengupta, miscellaneous items. Ekadashi- D.L. Roy’s play Chandragupta, directed by Prasenjit Sanyal.
Food fiesta: Saptami- Khichuri, labra, mochar chop, alu fulkopi kosha, pineapple chutney, papad, payesh, amriti, pan masala. Ashtami- Koraishutir kochuri, sada alur dom, kabli chana, begun basanti, stuffed kulcha, paneer makhniwala, alubokhra chutney, papad, kheer with malpoa, pan masala. Navami- Basanti pulao, corn cheese chop, potoler dolma, chhanar kofta, navratna curry, mixed fruit chutney, papad, Sita bhog, pan masala. Dashami- Basmati rice, moong dal, posto chhorano alu bhaja, chhychra, fish fry, doi machch, mutton kosha, plastic chutney, papad, kamalabhog, ice cream, pan masala. (Veg)- Paneer soya bean cutlet, malai kofta, fulkopi roast, raita.
Block: BH
Year: 34th
Budget: Rs 15 lakh
Location: Outside BH Park
The look: The wooden pandal exteriors will resemble the Hidimba temple of Manali and LED lights will be used inside for illumination. The traditional idol will be in daker saaj.
Fun funda: Sashthi- Inauguration by students of a block-based NGO, followed by elocution, dance, synthesiser and tabla performance by young talents. Saptami- A comedy staged by senior citizens, baul songs by Gopal Das. Asthami- Comedy by youths, music and magic show. Navami- Guest orchestra Souvik & Band to take stage.
Food fiesta: Saptami- Khichuri, begun bhaja, labra, chutney, papad, payesh. Ashtami- Luchi, fulkopir tarkari, chhanar kofta, papad, chutney, sweets. Navami- Pulao, paneer butter masala, fish kalia, pineapple chutney, ice cream.
Block: BJ
Year: 34th
Location: BJ Park
Budget: Rs 40 lakh
The look: Twelve states of the country have been represented through their dance and musical instruments in colourful thermocol and plaster of Paris relief figures on the walls.
Fun funda: Chaturthi- Inauguration by Tripura governor Tathagata Roy, Chinese consul general Ma Zhanwu and others at 7pm. Manovikas Kendra special children and guest singer Supratik to take stage. Panchami- Dance drama Lalkamal Neelkamal by block kids at 7pm followed by residents’ programmes. Saptami- Chinese lion dance at 7pm, saxophone by Michael Banerjee, dance extravaganza Colours of India. Ashtami- From 7pm, Dum Dum correctional home inmates to perform raibeshe, directed by CG Block resident Chirantan Bhaduri, followed by Sujata Basu Chakravorty of Zee Bangla Sa Re Ga Ma Pa fame. Navami- Residents’ programmes from 6pm, folk dancers from Purulia and Bankura, Indo-Western fusion orchestra.
Food fiesta: Saptami- Khichuri, beguni, labra, chutney, payesh, sweets. Ashtami- Luchi, chholar dal, begun bhaja, fried rice, alur dom, papad, sweets. Navami- Polau, mutton curry, chutney, sweets.
Block: BK
Year: 31st
Budget: Rs 15 lakh
Location: BK Park
The look: The idol will be a replica of the one at the Baghbajar puja and the colourful pandal will celebrate Madhubani art.
Fun funda: Panchami- Opening by councillor Krishna Chakraborty, advocate general, state government, Kishore Dutta, solicitor general, government of India, Kaushik Chanda. There will be Chandipath by a guest artiste. Sashthi (morning)- About 30 guests from a home for special children will visit. (Evening)- A folk music tribute to late Kalikaprasad of Dohar. Ashtami- Dance items Durga and Ganga arati by a guest troupe. Navami (morning)- A celebrity adda with participants like writer Abul Bashar, actor Pradip Mukherjee (of Satyajit Ray’s Jana Aranya fame), actress Dolly Basu, retired IAS Dipak Rudra, former mayor Bikash Ranjan Bhattacharyya, producer of films like Belaseshe Atanu Raychaudhuri, fashion designer Shantanu Das and Rabindrasangeet singer Anubha Choudhury. (Evening)- Performance by a dance troupe. Dashami (morning)- Lesser known traditional dish cooking contest and quiz by resident Ratnendu Sen.
Food fiesta: Saptami- Khichuri, labra, beguni/ kumro-besan bhaja, chutney, papad, sweets. Ashtami- Luchi, chholar dal, paneer curry, fulkopir tarkari, chutney, papad, sweets. Navami- Rice, dal, alu bhaja, chingri-potoler tarkari, rui machher kalia, chutney, papad, sweets. Dashami- Rice, sukto, egg devil, pulao, mutton curry, chutney, papad, ice cream.
Block: BL
Year: 31st
Budget: Rs 18.5 lakh
Location: BL Park
The look: The pandal will resemble a palace and the idol will be traditional.
Fun funda: Panchami- Inauguration, chorus by residents, felicitation of students who have cleared Board exams, folk music, dance by ladies, a play by the youth, directed by Tripti Majumdar and music by Bangla band Tasan. Sashthi- Guest artiste to sing Rajanikanta, Nazrulgeeti and modern songs, audio drama Swapnonandan, music and dance. Saptami- (morning) sit-and-draw, conchshell-blowing contest. (Evening)- Dance, music by residents and guest artistes to sing a variety of songs. Ashtami (morning)- Tribal dance by a chhou group from Purulia. (Evening)- Recitation, music, a speech by a resident on civic problems, guest artistes to sing Hindi and Bengali songs. Navami- Audio drama by residents and music by Zee Sa Re Ga Ma artistes. Dashami (morning) antakshari, quiz. Ekadashi- Folk music by guest artistes.
Food fiesta: Saptami- Khichuri, labra, begun bhaja, sandesh, chutney, papad. Ashtami- Luchi, pulao, paneer, dhoka, chholar dalna, rosogolla/ komola bhog. Navami- Rice, alu bhaja, sukto, dal, katla curry (two pieces), sandesh/ rosogolla. (Veg)- Pulao, paneer curry. Ekadashi- Mutton biriyani, chicken chaap, rosogolla/sandesh, chutney.
Block: CA
Year: 39th
Budget: Rs 14 lakh
Location: Next to the community hall
The look: The puja wants to pay tribute to the late Dohar frontman Kalikaprasad’s work on kirtans. So theme-maker and sculptor Sayak Raj has chosen Geeta Govinda, the poem by 12th century poet Jayadeva, and done up the pandal and idol as per its descriptions of Vrindavan, Radha and Krishna. So the pandal will be a Kodom forest with peacock feathers being used to create flowers and butterflies. The idols with brass effect will have big eyes and tilaks on the foreheads and the Jamuna river will be depicted behind them by folding cloth and using lighting effects.
Fun funda: Chaturthi- Inauguration by a monk from Ramakrishna Mission.
Food fiesta: Saptami- Khichuri, beguni, panchabyanjan, chutney, sweets. Ashtami- Luchi, alur dom, dhokar dalna, papaya chutney, sweets. Navami- Pulao, mutton curry, alur potol/ alu phulkopir tarkari, chutney, sweets, ice cream.
Block: CB
Year: 38th year
Budget: Rs 12 lakh
Location: CB community hall
The look: The pandal will have shola work and the idol will be traditional.
Fun funda: Chaturthi- Inauguration and musical performances. Panchami- Baul and folk music by Sri Hari Baul troupe. Sashthi- Audio drama Bou Katha Kou, dances titled Rabir Aloy Teen Kanya and Utsav by Malhar dance group. Saptami- Residents to stage Bonani Mukherjee’s Neelmani and a glimpse of India through dance. Ashtami- Dance performances. Navami- Audio drama and dance drama Nari Shakti followed by guest singer Indrani Dutta.
Food fiesta: Saptami- Khichuri, bnadhakopi, payesh, chutney, bhog prasad. (dinner)- Luchi, alur dom, darbesh. Ashtami- Luchi, chholar dal, doi beguni, chhanar kofta, peas pulao, amshotwo-khejur chutney, papad, gulab jamun. Navami- Basmati rice, narkol diye mug dal, alu bhaja with bori, kurry pata and badam, dhokar dalna, radha ballavi, alu matter, anaraser chutney, rosogolla. Dashami (dinner)- Belma kachori, baby naan, paneer butter masala, alur dum, dal makhani, dahi vada, veg pulao, papad, jilipi, kulfi.
Block: CD
Year: 41st
Budget: Rs 6 lakh
Location: CD community hall and adjoining park
The look: The idol will be traditional. A young resident, Rounak Ghoshal (Rony), is doing up the community hall’s interiors by making collages out of passport sized photographs of block residents.
Fun funda: Sashthi- Children will be free to perform as they please. Saptami- Solo songs, kids’ dance and group recitation. Ashtami- Performance by CD Block-based Tamanna Dance School, music and ladies’ dance. Navami- Synthesiser recital by a resident and a comedy on Devaki Bandyapadhyay’s Tulkalam, directed by resident Subrata Naik.
Food fiesta: Saptami- Khichuri, beguni, labra, chutney, papad, payesh, sweets. Ashtami- luchi, alur dom, chholar dal, chutney, papad, payesh, sweets. Navami- Pulao, chhanar dalna, dhokar dalna, chutney, papad, payesh, sweets.
Block: CE
Year: 38th
Budget: Rs 6 lakh
Location: CE Park
The look: With the Fifa Under-17 World Cup set to kick off right after the Pujas, this block has chosen football as its theme. The pandal will exhibit through pictures the journey of footballers from 1934 to 2015.
Fun funda: Panchami- Inauguration. Sashthi- Welcome song by children, drama Bhuture Kando written by residents. Saptami- Audio drama and folk music. Ashtami- Residents to stage a Bangladeshi drama Smart Boy in presence of Bangladesh Deputy High Commission officials. Navami- Modern music performances. Dwadashi- An evening dedicated to R.D. Burman titled Tribute to Rahul.
Food fiesta: Saptami- Khichuri, labra, alu bhaja, beguni, chutney, papad, payesh, rosogolla. Ashtami- Fried rice, luchi, jhuri alu bhaja, chholar dal, vegetable cutlet, fulkopi roast, dhokar dalna, chutney, papad, mihidana. Navami- Basanti pulao, chholar dal, Kashmiri alur dom, chhanar kofta, chutney, papad, pantua.
Block: CF
Year: 39th
Budget: Rs 13 lakh
Location: CF Park
The look: The pandal celebrates folk art and is done up with chhou masks. The lifestyles of tribal folk are also painted on the walls. Theme -maker Arup Chandra Paul will place mannequins of gods like Brahma, Vishnu, Mahesh and Kali in the chhou get-up at the entrance.
Fun funda: Pancahmi- Inauguration. Sashthi- Dance drama Bandish-e-Rabindranath and drama Bibaha Bipraj, both directed by resident Swarupa Basu Mullick. Saptami- Music and the drama Nat Jamai, directed by Sudipto Ghosh. Ashtami- Magic show by magician Shyamal Kumar and music. Navami- Audio drama Ladies Special directed by Kajol Ghosh. Guests artistes will then perform modern songs.
Food fiesta: Saptami- Khichuri, labra, beguni, chutney, payesh. Ashtami- Luchi, chholar dal, hariyali alur dom, begun bhaja, papaya chutney, papad, bnonde. Navami- Dum pulao, veg chop, dhokar dalna, chhanar kofta, mixed chutney, papad, sandesh/kamalabhog. Dashami (dinner)- Rice, dal, bhaja, tarkari, chicken/ mutton curry, sweets, ice cream.
Block: CG
Year: 33rd
Budget: Rs 8 lakh
Location: Community hall and Green Verge
The look: The pandal will resemble a two-storeyed zamindar house, illuminated by hurricane lamps. The idol will be in the Nataraj pose, adorned not by jewellery but by rudraksha.
Fun funda: Panchami- Inauguration by the senior-most lady in the block, Chandipath by ladies’ forum and Anandamela where women will sell home-made food. Sashthi- Inauguration and agomoni music by ladies forum, children’s drama Oil Painting directed by Indrani Ghosh. Saptami- Violin recital, dance and music by children, audio drama Oboshese by ladies forum. Ashtami- Performance by poetry group Udaan and performance by Diksha modern music group. Navami- Rabindrasangeet by resident Krishna Chatterjee, children’s play Laalkamal Neelkamal directed by Tania Nandy, guest Bangla band led by Shubhajeet Basak. Dashami- Puppet show by Banglanatok.com.
Food fiesta: Saptami- Khichuri, labra, beguni, chutney, papad, sweets. Ashtami- Luchi, chholar dal, beguni, Kashmiri alur dom, chutney, papad, sweets. Navami- Pulao, dhokar dalna, alu matar paneer, chutney, papad, payesh.
Block: CJ
Year: 32nd
Budget: Rs 13 lakh
Location: CJ community hall and park
The look: The pandal will be simple and the idol traditional.
Fun funda: Sashthi- Opening, children’s dance drama Save the Earth, drama Hirer Necklace by ladies group Falgun Dhara, music by Brojogopal Das Baul and group. Saptami- Ladies’ dance on women’s empowerment and Tagore and Nazrul songs by guest singer Purabi Mukhopadhyay. Ashtami- Collage of modern Hindi and Bengali songs, Manna Dey’s nephew Sudeb Dey to perform.
Food fiesta: Saptami- Rice, moog dal, alu bhaja, sukto, dhokar dalna, chutney, payesh. Ashtami- luchi, chholar dal, khichuri, beguni, labra, chutney, bonde. Navami- Fried rice, beguni, Kashmiri alur dom, chhanar kalia, chutney, rosogolla. Ekadashi (dinner)- Rice, alu bhaja, machher matha diye dal, machher matha diye chhyachra, fish kalia, mutton curry, chutney, rosogolla, ice cream.
Block: CK-CL
Year: 31st
Budget: Rs 13 lakh
Location: CK-CL Park and community hall
The look: The idol will be traditional and the pandal will be shaped like a rajbari. Outside will be a statue of a lady in a dancing pose, created by sculptor and CL Block resident Goutam Pal.
Fun funda: Chaturthi- Inauguration by Swami Atmabodhananda from Ramakrishna Vedanta Math, Siliguri, mouth organ performance by Nitai Chandra Bhattacharya. Panchami- Music by Mallar Bose, Ruby Chatterjee and Dipen Bose. Sashthi- Dance, Hindi and Bengali songs by Mayank Srivastav along with Debrup Roy on guitar. Saptami- (morning) Sit-and-draw. (Evening) Audio drama, recitation, dance, music. Ashtami- Magic show, kids drama Pratibad, dance Mon Mor Megher Sangi. Navami (morning) Antakshari (evening)- Guitar and synthesiser recital by Satwik Ray and Sohom Ray, music by guest artiste Anindita Nag. There will also be spot contests for dhunuchi dancing, conchshell-blowing, best dressed lady etc.
Food fiesta: Saptami- Khichuri (Gobindobhog rice), ghee, labra, beguni, bnadhakopir tarkari, tomato chutney, papad, mihidana. Ashtami- Luchi, chholar dal narkol diye, Kashmiri alu dum, begun bhaja, pineapple chutney, bnode. Navami- Banskathi rice, mug dal, jhuri alu bhaja, chhanar dalna, khejur amshatto chutney, payesh. Dashami- Egg devil with mutton keema, mutton biriyani, chicken chap, plastic chutney, papad, gulab jamun. (Veg)- Radhaballavi, chana masala, vegetable cutlet, peas pulao, dahi vada, paneer butter masala.
Block: DA
Year: 37th
Budget: Rs 9 lakh
Location: Community hall and the area outside
The look: The pandal will be based on the Konark temple and the idol will have traditional as well as artistic influences.
Fun funda: Sashthi- Inauguration by councillor Rajesh Chirimar and inspector-in-charge of Bidhannagar north police Somnath Banerjee. Matri Vandana in ladies’ chorus, felicitation of students who have cleared Class X and XII. Dance drama Abhisar directed by resident Puloma Sen. Saptami- Music, dance by residents and guest artiste Madhuchhanda to sing folk songs. Ashtami- Residents to present a collage of Rabindrasangeet and modern Bengali songs, youths to present fusion dance and guest artiste Piyali Debnath to sing modern Bengali songs. Navami- Three audio plays Wallet, Har Mana Har and Dnater Lorai, play Koloho Kirtan and dance drama on Tagore’s works. Ekadashi- Zee Sa Re Ga Ma Pa singer Ashmita Kar to perform.
Food fiesta: Saptami- Khichuri, labra, beguni, papad, mango chutney, payesh. Ashtami- Dum pulao, hing alur dom, luchi, chholar dal, chhanar dalna, amshatta chutney. Navami- Fried rice, dhokar dalna, mixed vegetable, pineapple chutney, papad, dahi vada.
Block: DB
Year: 40th
Budget: Rs 13 lakh
Location: DB community hall and adjoining park
The look: The theme is based on the three things that triggered Siddhartha’s transformation to the Buddha — the sight of a sick, an old and a dying man. At the entrance, theme-maker and sculptor Sayak Raj has fixed masks of sick faces along with dry leaves, flowers and terracotta skulls. The concept of rebirth is depicted by lotuses in monochrome that will cover the ceiling and form the backdrop of the idols. And the lotuses will regain their natural colours only when they touch the hand of the goddesses, symbolising god’s grace even in rebirth. The idol will have a realistic look.
Fun funda: Chaturthi- Inauguration by governor of Tripura Tathagata Roy. Women will welcome him by chanting the Mangalacharan stotra. Children will dance and Art of Living members will present an agomoni item. Panchami- Conchshell-blowing contest, Steps on Fire (dhunuchi dance) and dances. Sashthi- Agomoni music, scripted dance by kids, audio drama Durga & Co. and Matri Vandana dance by guest artistes. Saptami- Miscellaneous items and fashion show Shaan-e-Mehfil, where residents will walk the ramp as ghazals and thumris are sung live alongside. Ashtami- Dance, music, baul performance. Navami- Dance tribute to Krishna, recitation and a fashion show for kids. Ekadashi- Guest musicians to perform. Dwadashi- A DJ to belt out music and residents to perform dandiya.
Food fiesta: Saptami- Basmati rice, ghee, alu bhaja, karaishuti diye mug dal, alu posto, alu fulkopir tarkari, mango chutney, papad, payesh. Ashtami- Naan batura, channa, pea pulao, paneer butter masala, vegetable chop, amshotwo chutney, sweets. Navami- Bhuna khichuri, potoler dorma, butter beguni, jolpai chutney, sandesh, ice cream. Dashami (dinner)- Koraishutir kochuri, kosha alur dom, rosogolla, ice cream
Block: DL
Year: 33rd
Budget: Rs 19.2 lakh
Location: DL Park
The look: The pandal will be a replica of Puri’s Jagannath temple and the traditional idol will be by Pradip Rudra Pal.
Fun funda: Panchami- Inauguration by Nitya Muktananda Maharaj, agomoni songs, devotional songs and dance drama Durga Vandana. Sashthi- Recitation, audio drama, dance drama Puja Parbo and kids’ dance Little Happy Feet. Saptami- Recitation, audio drama Kotta Ginni Samachar to be performed by A.K Ghosh and Mitali Ghosh, dance performance Utsaber Ronge Rangai. Ashtami- Solo dance, songs, fashion show and baul music by Souradip Mitra. Navami- Recitation, songs, guitar performance by Sutapa Banerjee and poetry-and-music collage Eka Nari Ek by guest troupe Udaan. Dashami- Miscellaneous performances.
Food fiesta: Saptami- Khichuri, beguni, labra, chutney, papad, payesh. Ashtami- Luchi, chholar dal, vegetable chop, mishti pulao, dhokar dalna, chutney, papad, mihidana. Navami- Rice, dal, sukto, chhanar kofta, chutney, papad, golap jam.
Block: EC
Year: 41st
Budget: Rs 20 lakh
Location: EC Park
The look: High on the environmental quotient, this pandal will depict how plants, animals and people can co-exist peacefully. Theme maker Bapai Sen has recycled mango seeds, amra seeds, the soles of shoes, hogla leaves, tal leaves etc. to create a jungle-like atmosphere. Colourful butterflies and dragonflies hover overhead and huge sunflowers smile down on visitors. The idol will be traditional.
Fun funda: Chaturthi- Inauguration by environmentalist Subhas Datta, Chinese consul-general Ma Zhanwu and local councillor Tulsi Sinha Roy. Sashthi- Arati utsav. This is a ritual started by former block resident, the late dancer Manjusri Chaki Sircar, where ladies, holding up diyas and kulos, dance to the beats of the dhak and welcome the goddess. There will also be music and dance that day. Saptami- Kids’ dance drama Amar Jete Ichchhe Kore, music and youths’ dance and music programme Nari. Ashtami- Manoj Mitra’s comedy Kenaram Becharam. Navami- Guest artistes will perform Bengali music of all sorts — from folk to modern songs.
Food fiesta: Saptami- Rice, fried rice, dal, alu bhaja, alu posto, doi potol, anaroser chutney, papad, darbesh. Ashtami- Pulao, dal puri, alur dom, kumror chhokka, dhokar dalna, papaya chutney, payesh. Navami- Rice, dal, labra, mutton kosha, chutney, papad, rosogolla. (Vegetarian) Khichuri, beguni, labra, tomato chutney, papad, rosogolla.
Block: EE
Year: 20th
Budget: Rs 12 lakh
Location: EE Park
The look: An imaginary temple is erected with a grass carpet on the roof. The idol is artistic.
Fun funda: Panchami- Inauguration by CMDA officer Soumitra Mahul and felicitation of students who have performed well in Board examinations. This will be followed by music, dance and a audio drama. Sashthi- Women’s drama and dance collage Joy Joy Dugga. Saptami- Audio drama Shashuri Bonam Bouma, dance and recitations. Ashtami- Musical performance by guest Soumen Hajari. Navami (morning)- Sit-and-draw, conchshell-blowing, antakshari, elocution, on-spot acting competitions followed by Bharatanatyam performance. Dashami- Quiz and music by Chandan troupe. Ekadashi- Extempore speech, debate, magic show.
Food fiesta: Ashtami- Khichuri, beguni, labra, chutney, papad, payesh. Navami- Fried rice, chicken curry, fish gravy, chutney, sweets, papad, ice cream
Block: FC
Year: 34th
Budget: Rs 7 lakh
Location: FC community centre
The look: The pandal resembles the natmandir of a zamindar house, with a huge chandelier with 108 lamps. The idol is traditional.
Fun funda: Panchami- Inauguration by an elderly resident, music and performance by recitation group Uraan. Sashthi- Modern songs by guest aritste Anubhab Sengupta, recitation by kids. Saptami- Magic show by K.P Sarkar. Navami- Competitions for ladies of the block. Dwadashi- Dance drama on lord Krishna titled Khelechho e bishorohe, music by Zee Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Li’l Champs artists.
Food fiesta: Saptami- Khichuri, labra, beguni, chutney, papad, payesh, sweets. Ashtami- Luchi, chholar dal, begun bhaja, alur dom, chutney, papad, sweets. Navami- Fried rice, paneer butter masala, vegetable pakora, chutney, papad, sweets. Dashami- Rice, dal, alu bhaja, vegetable curry, mutton curry, chutney, papad, sweets.
Block: FD
Year: 33rd
Budget: Rs 85 lakh
Location: FD Park
The look: Amar Sarkar’s pandal has sur taal chhonde, snoda matir gondhey as theme. One enters under an arch with musical notations by a variety of folk music instruments and singing birds on the walls which have harmonium reeds painted at the base. The sanctum sanctorum has figures of minstrels wrought in relief in clay on the walls and is decorated with 20,000 kartals, 1,000 bells and 2,000 figures of birds. The idol sits in a red backdrop with hanging kartals.
Fun funda: The inauguration will be done by Jhulan Goswami on Tritiya at 7pm followed by recitation and song. Chaturthi- Drawing contest at 10am. Recitation contest at 6pm and songs. Panchami- Agomoni dance, dance to romantic songs, musical on Agnigarbha Nibedita. Sashthi- Agomoni songs, an audio drama, a musical on Rabindranath Tagore’s life, Bengali band Sada Kalo. Saptami- Audio drama Kreme Kreme Prosthan, recitation and play by women Samikaran. Ashtami- An audio drama, Manoj Mitra’s play Pakhi staged by residents, musical extravaganza Durga, dance drama Footloose. Navami- Prize distribution of contests and felicitation of meritorious block students. Dance and music on the theme of the puja.
Food fiesta: Saptami- Rice, moog daal, alu bhaja, machher matha diye sobji, fish kalia, paneer, chutney, papad, achar, golap jam. Ashtami- Khichuri, luchi, vegetable chop, chholar dal, alur dom, chutney, papad, achar, payesh. Navami- Rice, daal makhani, alu pakoda, potoler dalna, mutton curry (or fish curry or paneer), chutney, papad, achar, bnode.
Block: FE
Year: 32nd
Budget: Rs 20 lakh
Location: FE Park
The look: The puja pays tribute to Sadako Sasaki, a Japanese girl from atom bomb-hit Hiroshima who folded origami cranes till her death following the Japanese belief that whoever folded a thousand cranes would be granted a wish. Sadako’s statue holding a crane at Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park is replicated in front. Dancing girls form a colourful arch over the entrance. The interiors are decorated in wooden flakes.
Fun funda: Panchami- Inauguration by Saddhi Paramanandamoyi of Pranabkanya Ashram at 7pm; launch of puja souvenir by Paran Bandyopdhyay; chorus song by block ladies; baul songs by Camelia Das; Saptami- Dandiya; Ashtami- Music contest with karaoke music and audio-visual clues.
Food fiesta: Saptami- Khichudi, labda, beguni, alu bhaja, plastic chutney, papad, amriti. Ashtami- Luchi, chholar dal, fulkopir tarkari, fried rice, chhanar dalna, amsatva khejur chutney, papad, bnodey. Navami- Peas polao, alur dom, fish kalia, mutton kosha, mixed chutney, papad, golap jam, ice cream. (Veg) Radhaballavi, vegetable cutlet, navratan curry, paneer butter masala.
Block: GC
Year: 33nd
Budget: Rs 16 lakh
Location: Community hall and park outside
The look: The pandal is inspired by the Buddhist pagodas of Bhutan. The idol, by sculptor Kalachand Rudra Pal, will be adorned in a headgear like those worn in Bhutan.
Fun funda: Panchami- Inauguration, to the beats of women dhakis from the state information and cultural affairs department. A guest artiste will perform agomoni songs. Sashthi- Dance and music by the block’s ladies’ club and prize distribution for events having taken place in the block round the year. Saptami- Music by guest artistes. Ashtami- Folk performance by representatives of the state cultural department. Navami- Music by residents.
Food fiesta: Saptami- Rice, dal, sukto, alu bhaja, hilsa, katla, parse curry, chutney papad, rosogolla. (Veg)- Koraishutir kochuri, paneer curry, alur dom, veg cutlet. Ashtami- Khichuri, labra, French fries, beguni, golap jam. Navami- Peas pulao, paneer curry, alu dom, veg cutlet, chutney, papad, mohonbhog. Dashami (dinner) Rice, mixed vegetables, bhaja, mutton curry, ice cream. (Vegetarian)- Luchi, alur dom, channa masala, fried rice, paneer curry, mixed vegetable, ice cream.
Block: GD
Year: 33rd
Budget: Rs 18 lakh
Location: GD community centre
The look: The pandal will resemble a massive peacock. The theme is pradeepanjali so innumerable lamps will be used to decorate the pandal. The idol will have a sandstone finish.
Fun funda: Panchami- Inauguration by the daitapati of Puri’s Jagannath temple and mayor Sabyasachi Dutta, followed by agomoni songs, dance to gayatri mantra, Odissi and Western dance. Sashthi- Music, dance on Shoroter Anondodhara and western dance. Saptami- Children’s drama Ek Dhama Alu, mouth organ performance by resident Ashok Basu, audio drama Rajjotok, music and dance. Ashtami- Saxophone recital by guest artiste Chanchal Banerjee, a tribute to Kishore Kumar and R.D. Burman by guest artiste Subhasis Sengupta. Navami- Dance and music by Zee Sa Re Ga Ma Pa artists.
Food fiesta: Saptami- Khichuri, labra, beguni, tarkari, chutney, papad, payesh. Ashtami- Luchi, pulao, paneer curry, alur dom, chutney, papad, bnode. Navami- Rice, machher matha diye dal, machher chhyachra, alu fulkopir tarkari, chutney, papad, rosogolla. Dashami (dinner)- Chinese vegetable fried rice, chicken butter masala, chutney, papad, sweets.
Block: HA
Year: 33rd
Budget: Rs 9 lakh
Location: HA community hall
The look: The pandal will resemble a Tibetan pagoda with a traditional ekchala idol.
Fun funda: Panchami- Inauguration, recitation and story-writing competitions, dance drama and felicitation of Class X and XII students who cleared their exams this year. Sashthi- Music by children, classical dance and poetry-and-script item called Sangeet o Bhasha. Saptami- Solo dance, recitation and music by guest artiste Palash Das. Ashtami- Conchshell-blowing competition. Navami- Magic show by K.P Sarkar and folk songs by Saibal Ray.
Food fiesta: Saptami- Rice, machher matha diye tarkari, jhuri alu bhaja, moog dal, chutney, papad, doi, sweets. Ashtami- Khichuri, beguni, labra, chutney, papad, doi, sweets. Navami- Rice, dal, alu pakora, vegetable curry, mutton curry, doi, papad, chutney, sweets. Dashami- Radhaballavi, Kashmiri alur dom, mihidana.
Block: HB
Year: 33rd
Budget: Rs 26 lakh
Location: Community hall
The look: The pandal is inspired by the natmandir of Dakshineshwar temple. The 51 shakti peeths will be explained too. The idol is traditional ekchala.
Fun funda: Tritiya- Inauguration by a monk from Belur Math and mayor Sabyasachi Dutta followed by agomoni song by ladies group and devotional songs by Srikumar Chattopadhyay. Chaturthi- Recitation, dance, instrumental music and recitation by guest group Uraan. Guest artiste Sudeshna Banerjee will sing and a dance show Taal the beat will be presented by guest artistes Debrup Ray and Rituparna. Panchami- A cultural programme by physically challenged children from an institute called Mon, followed by children’s play Daityer Bagan and a dance performance by Nrityalok Dance Academy. Sashthi- Kids to stage a play Public Servant, followed by a musical show by Sudeshna Bhattacharya and group. Saptami (morning)- Sit-and-draw competition. (Evening)- Classical music by resident Jayati Mukherjee, dance performance by Sreelekha Mukherjee Dance Academy, audio drama Kreme Kreme Prosthan by guest group Pakhi, dance by Jalwa dance trope. Ashtami (morning)- Recitation competition. Navami- Conchshell-blowing competition. October 14- Vijaya special event with by singer Raghav Chatterjee.
Food fiesta: Saptami- Khichuri, labra, beguni, chutney, papad, sweets. Ashtami- Radhaballavi, Gobindobhog pulao, chholar dal, alur dom, chhanar kofta, chutney, payesh, sweets. Navami- Basmati rice, sona muger dal, machher mathar chhyachra, mutton kosha, chutney, ice cream. (Vegetarian)- Fried rice, paneer butter masala, fulkopi roast, kofta curry, chutney, papad, ice cream.
Labony Estate
Year: 43rd
Budget: Rs 15 lakh
Location: Ground inside complex
The look: The pandal is a 45ft high temple with a trident atop. A red light glows on a giant Shivalinga on the façade, signifying Lord Shiva's third eye. This is from where Durga was born. The theme is awakening of the third eye, the source of inner power, in every human. Inside, dancing Nataraj figures face each other on opposite walls. At the centre is a column of shiuli. The idol is ekchala with daker saaj.
Food funda: Saptami- Radhaballavi, dhokar dalna, alur dom, sweets. Ashtami- Khichudi, labra, alu fulkopir torkari, chutney, papad, sweets. Navami- Biryani, chicken chap. Dashami- rice, shukto, dal with fish head, alubhaja, doi rui, chutney, papad, sweets.
All schedules are subject to last-minute changes
Block: IA
Year: 32nd
Budget: Rs 23 lakh
Location: IA Park
The look: The traditional idol in daker saaj will bless visitors from the pandal that is inspired by the Dakshineshwar temple natmandir.
Fun funda: Panchami- Inauguration by mayor Sabyasachi Dutta, agomoni songs and comic dance drama by kids called Shorar Dali. Sashthi- Children to stage drama Rupkatha, followed by Bonophul’s Boyong, also a play. Saptami- Ladies drama, musical by guest artiste Maitrayee Chaudhury and dance titled Srishti Sukher Ullashe. Ashtami- Sitar performance by resident Meghnad Bhaumik and a senior residents’ talk on Natun o Purano. Navami- Recitation, drama and performance by recitation group Udaan, called Katha o Kabita.
Food fiesta: Sashthi (dinner)- Luchi, begun bhaja, alu fulkopi roast, chholar dal, chutney, papad, bonde. Saptami- Rice, dal, alu bhaja, rohu fish curry, papad, chutney. (Vegetarian)- Fried rice, paneer pasinda, fulkopi roast, dal makhani, chutney, papad, sweets. Ashtami- Luchi, khichuri, labra, payesh. Navami- Rice, dal, fish (rohu) curry, tarkari, chutney, address. (Veg)- Rice, dal, paneer curry, dal makhani, sweets. Dashami- Rice, dal, tarkari, rohu fish curry, mutton curry, chutney, sweets. (Veg)- Rice, dal, paneer curry, dal makhani, chutney., sweets.
Block: IB
Year: 31st
Budget: Rs 9 lakh
Location: IB Park
The look: The pandal is shaped like a temple and the idol is traditional ekchala. The lights are by professionals from Chandernagore.
Fun funda: Panchami- Inauguration by football icon P.K Banerjee. Sashthi- Music and an audio drama Adibasi. Saptami- Ladies group to stage a play. Navami- Classical dance performance by resident Shrobona Mitra followed by a play. Ekadashi- Musical by a guest orchestra troupe.
Food fiesta: Saptami- Khichuri, beguni, alu bhaja, labra, alur dom, chutney, papad, payesh. Ashtami- Luchi, begun bhaja, chholar dal, paneer butter masala, navaratna curry, chutney, papad, sawaiyan payesh. Navami- Pulao, fish butter fry, paneer kofta, mutton curry, fish kalia, chutney, papad, sweets, kulfi.
Block: JC
Year: 19th
Budget: Rs 5.5 lakh
Location: JC Park
The look: The idol will be traditional
Fun funda: Sashthi- Inauguration by mayor Sabyasachi Dutta and councillor Devashis Jana, opening song by ladies, dance and recitation. Saptami- Dance, recitation, audio drama Paying Guest and Haowa Bodol. Ashtami- Solo recitation, dance and songs. Navami- Dance, recitation, music, mono-act by resident Minakshi Singh. Principal secretary of the state information and cultural affairs department, Vivek Kumar, who is a resident of JC Block, will be singing Rabindrasangeet and modern songs.
Food fiesta: Saptami- Rice, mugdal, alu bhaja, shukto, phulkopir tarkari, chutney, papad, rasogolla. (Dinner)- Radhaballavi, alur dom, bnode. Ashtami- Atar puri, luchi, chholar dal, dhokar dalna, chutney, ice cream. (Dinner)- Peas pulao, alur dom, atar puri, chana masala, chutney, bonde. Navami- Rice, muger dal, alu bhaja, atar puri, fish curry, mutton curry, chutney, papad, rasogolla. (Dinner)- Hing kachuri, chana masala, chutney, mihidana. Dashami- atar puri, rice, muger dal, beguni, potoler dorma, papad. (Dinner) khichuri, labra, papad, bonde.
NEW TOWN
BALAKA ABASAN
Balaka Abasan’s theme this year is the underground. “Most people think plants only help by giving us oxygen but they also support many organisms under the soil. This is what we wanted to showcase this year and sensitise people about protecting plant life,” said Prasanna Kumar Roy, secretary of New Town’s Balaka Abasan puja committee.
So a 36-ft artificial banyan tree has been erected and a bed of grass laid around it. Real beehives have been affixed to its branches too. But visitors walk into the pandal from under the tree. There its roots are shown growing downwards, thereby holding the soil firmly. Huge replicas of ants, earthworms etc. are shown crawling about and insects, that have made the place their home over the last three months of pandal-making, create ambient sound.
“We have also created human-like figures from which roots emerge as limbs or hair. We have used eco-friendly material like hay and cotton for the work,” said theme-maker Uttam Mondal. They will also be installing 20-tonne air-conditioner in the 15,000 sq-ft pandal to beat the heat. The budget is around Rs 25 lakh.
“This is our 15th year and we are proud that visitors have made ours the biggest puja of New Town,” said Rakesh Gupta, media convenor. “Last year we had almost 1,10,000 footfall in peak hours.” The puja will be inaugurated on Tritiya by Hidco chief Debashis Sen.
To reach Balaka from the Salt Lake side, take a right turn after Axis Mall and then the second right turn thereafter.
