Here are the best idols.
The auspicious nine-day period of Navratri has commenced and devotees all over India are celebrating occasion. Also known as Sharad Navratri, the fun-filled festival is celebrated in different ways across the country and involves worship of Goddess Durga and her nine avatars. Over the next nine days, devotees offer prayers to Goddess Durga and observe fasts.
Also Read: Durga Puja 2018: Nirghanta, Timings and Vidhi- all explained
The tenth day of Sharad Navratri is celebrated as Dussehra or Vijayadashami. The occasion is believed to mark Goddess Durga's victory over demon Mahishasura and defeated him, which signifies victory of good over evil.
The festival is popularly and prominently celebrated in Gujarat, Maharashtra, West Bengal and the southern state of Karnataka. The people of Varanasi and Delhi marked the first day of the festival by offering prayers and sweets at different temples. While in West Bengal, the last four days of Navratri is celebrated with much pomp and enthusiasm and is known as Durga Puja.
Durga Puja is undoubtedly the biggest festival for Bengalis and increasingly the festivity around it is gaining steam. Now, from Mahalaya onwards, people are visiting Durga pandals. West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee inaugurated several pandals and shared pictures on Facebook. Here are the best ones:
With ANI inputs
1. Baghbazar Sarbojonin
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Baghbazar Sarbojonin is the most iconic shabeki baroyari (traditional community puja) Durga Puja in Kolkata. Located in heart of North Kolkata, it prides in sticking to its tradition, like many Bengalis do. One speciality is the Goddess and her sons and daughters are under a single background here, known as Ekchala thakur.
2. Kalighat Milan Sangha
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Mamata Banerjee inaugurated the Kalighat Milan Sangha pujo. Incidentally, West Bengal CM is also an inhabitant of Kalighat, in South Kolkata
3. Adi Ballyguange Samiti
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Adi Ballyguange Samiti is one of the most respected sarbojonin Durga Puja pandal in South Kolkata. Here the Goddess Durga is seen in traditional thermocol backdrop.
4. Ballyguange 21 Pally
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Another well known Durga Puja pandal is Ballyguange 21 Pally. Here Mamata Banerjee is seen offering her tributes.
5. Behala Notun Dal
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Behala Notun Dal is an upcoming Durga Puja pandal located in Behala, in southern fringes of Kolkata. The facade of the pandal is certainly a visual treat.
6. Mamata Banerjee at Chetla Agrani club
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Mamata Banerjee drawing the eye of Goddess Durga in Cheta Agrani. Incidentally, Cheta Agrani under the patronage of influential TMC leaders have rapidly shot into fame in the last few years for its innovative themes.
7. Barisha Club
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Barisha Club is arguably the most famous Durga Puja hosted in Behala. Once held separately as Sristi and Sahojatri, the two clubs joined hands to organise Puja together under the aegis of Barisha Club. Every year it impresses the connoisseurs with beautifully crafted pandal and idol.
8. Jodhpur Park
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Back in the 90s, Jodhpur Park was the biggest Durga Puja of South Kolkata. Located in the posh Jodhpur Park area, it boasted of a huge budget and managed to draw huge crowd with massive pandals. With time, other pujas in South Kolkata have caught up with Jodhpur Park, but yet the pandal by the lake retains its unique charm.
9. Bosepukur Sitala Mandir
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Bosepukur Sitala Mandir located in Kasba, South Kolkata has been a major crowd puller over the last decade. It shot into fame with bhanrer thakur (idol and pandal made of earthen pitchers) , From then, Bosepukur has never looked back. Every year they wow the crow with innovative themes. This year too is no different.
