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| The idols at Nripendra Narayan Bengali Public Hindu Hall in Darjeeling. |
The Telegraph guide for Astami has a wide variety to offer pandal hoppers — from the hills to the plains. We have also got a few pujas from Sikkim. Happy (pandal) hopping
DARJEELING
District Police Line
Location: Daligaon
USP: The ambience is serene and people from all communities swarm to enjoy the festivities
Nripendra Narayan Bengali Public Hindu Hall
Location: Chandamari
USP: One of the oldest and prominent Durga Pujas. Tourists flock here as well
GANGTOK
Thakurbari Durga Puja Samiti
Location: Near MG Marg
USP: This year, a new temple is coming up where the deity is being worshipped
Bengali Community of Sikkim
Location: Jeevan Theeng Marg, Development Area
USP: Added to traditional idols and the pandal, cultural events will be held throughout Navratri
KALIMPONG
Kalimpong Sarbajanin
Location: Town Hall Complex
USP: As in the past, the 81st edition of the puja, the oldest in town, will have extended celebrations stretching up to October 1. Milanee Club, which organises the puja, will arrange two days of cultural programme a day or two after the conclusion of the pujas.
KURSEONG
Bengali Sangha of Kurseong
Location: Rajrajeswari Hall
USP: Started in 1930 and is the oldest puja in the hill town
Ramakrishna Vedanta Ashram
Location: Nayabazar
USP: Traditionally made idols. The attraction is the prasad distributed on Navami
Gorkha Jana Pustakalaya Committee
Location: Gorkha Library
USP: Celebrated in the Nepalese way with idols dressed in Gorkha attire. The committee organises the phulpati rally on Saptami, joined by people of all communities wearing different attires
SILIGURI
Mitra Sammilani
Location: Kshudirampally
USP: The oldest Durga Puja of Siliguri this year turned 83 years. The idols here are in ekchala. The traditional look and ethnic ambience are the main attractions. Members also organise Vijaya Sammilani after Dashami
Abahani Chakro
Location: Near TN Central Bus Terminus
USP: Idols here are made of clay but have a brass-like look. The pagoda-shaped pandal has intricate designs in the interiors
Subrata Sangha
Location: Deshbandhupara
USP: In its 52nd year, the club had used sponge, thermocol and plywood to make the pandal. The idols, too, have been made of sponge with earthen artefacts decorating the interiors
Jewel Athletic Club
Location: Punjabipara
USP: Artisans from Cooch Behar’s Mathabhanga have made the idols with wheat. The pandal is also decorated with wheat, thermocol and bamboos
Haidarpara Sporting Club
Location: Haiderpara Bazar
USP: In its 40th year, the club has designed the pandal on a zamindar’s house with idols dressed in traditional Bengali attire
BALURGHAT
Chakvrigu Pragati Sangha
Location: Chakvrigu
USP: A palace is what the club presents in its golden jubilee year. Made of thermocol, it has a marble-like look. The “palace” is 70ft high and 90ft wide. The idols have a traditional look
ALIPURDUAR
Swami Vivekananda Club
Location: Duttapara
USP: A replica of Calcutta High Court with the idols’ attires having an earthen look
Station Para Club
Location: Stationpara
USP: In its 56th year, the club has set up a temple-like structure
ISLAMPUR
Royal Sporting Club
Location: Thana Colony
USP: The interiors have been made using themes from Sahaj Path to commemorate the 150th birth anniversary of Vidyasagar
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| MP Mausam Noor (second from left) at a pandal in Malda |
MALDA
Shivaji Sangha
Location: Probalpally
USP: Eight quintals of silver! This is what the artisans of Rajasthan used to set up the mighty ratha or chariot housing the Devi and her children. The pandal is 60ft high and illuminated by lights from Chandernagore
Sarvajoyee Club
Location: Manaskamana Road
USP: The pandal is like a mausoleum with intricate carvings inside. Durga is seen as preparing herself for the battle with Asura, accepting weapons from the other gods and goddesses
RAIGANJ
Amar Subrata
Location: Asokpally
USP: A temple–like structure with lights from Chandernagore
Aikya Sammilani
Location: Ukilpara
USP: The pandal and its premises have been illuminated with Chandernagore lights. The idols have a traditional look and made locally
JALPAIGURI
Pandapara Sarbojanin
Location: Pandapara
USP: The pandal is the replica of a temple with cards used to decorate the interiors
Jalpaiguri Palace
Location: Rajbaripara
USP: One of the oldest pujas of north Bengal in its 500th year. The idol is mounted on a white lion with wings. The goddess is accompanied by Jaya and Vijaya — the demi-god gate keepers of Vaikunta — Shiva, Mahamaya and Brahma
Raikatpara Barowari
Location: Raikatpara
USP: In the 81st year, the club has used lights from Chandernagore to illuminate the premises. The idol is an ekchala
Natunpara Rg Party Sarbojanin
Location: Natunpara
USP: Nagaland is the theme of the club in its silver jubilee year. The pandal is made of plywood, bamboo and cloth
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| The pandal of Ghoshpara Youth Club in Cooch Behar. Picture by Main Uddin Chisti |
COOCH BEHAR
Ghoshpara Youth Club
Location: Ghoshpara
USP: Replica of the world famous Vivekananda Memorial Rock of Kanyakumari, complete with a life-size statue of Swami Vivekananda. The idol is traditional with lights from Chandernagore
Patakura Club
Location: Patakura
USP: The idols are the main attraction here. The main deity can be seen with faces of 19 other deities in the background. The pandal is otherwise simple.
