- Durga Puja Pandals will be open from October 1 to October 8th, 2019
- Entry is free
- Artisans from Bengal have come to Bangalore especially to make the idols for these pandals
Durga Puja is one of the main festivals celebrated across India. This 4-day festival celebrates the victory of good over evil and is dedicated to Goddess Durga. The celebrations start with Mahalaya, followed by Saptami, Ashtami, Navami, and Dashami.
Pandals are an integral part of the Durga Puja celebrations. The pandals offer a visual treat with beautiful decorations, colorful idols and food stalls, cultural performances and games.
Bangalore is home to many Bengalis and as Dusshera approaches, a number of Durga Puja pandals are beginning to appear around the city. These pandals are visited not only by Bengalis in the area but also by people of all other communities. Read on to find out what to expect and where to you.
October is a festive season across India. What’s amazing is that different parts of India celebrate the Dusshera season in different ways. In Bengal, Durga Puja Pandals are the highlight of this season. However, you don’t have to travel all the way to Kolkata to be a part of these festivities.
Over the years, a number of Bengalis have shifted base from Bengal to other parts of the country. Bangalore has a large migrant Bengali population. Hence, it comes as no surprise that the city has a number of Durga Puja Pandals.
Bangalore – The Cosmopolitan City
Bangalore has always been a cosmopolitan city. According to a census taken as early as 2001, about 50% of the city’s population was non-Kannadiga. Over the years people have moved to Bangalore from Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, West Bengal etc. Today, there are a few lakh Bengalis in Bangalore. This goes to prove the warm and inclusive nature of this city.
The Artisans Behind the Durga Puja Pandals in Bangalore
There are a number of Bengali associations in Bangalore that organize and host Durga Puja celebrations. The highlight of these Pandals is the idol of Durga. Each year, just before the festive season, a number of sculptors and artisans come to Bangalore to make idols.
Along with their tools and artistic skills, they also bring with them clay from Kumartuli. This is believed to be the purest form of clay. Apart from these migrant artisans, there are a number of other artisans who have made Bangalore their home. These sculptors specialize in customized idols of Goddess Durga.
Traditionally, the idol of Goddess Durga is sculpted with her standing over Mahishasura. Her left leg is usually placed on Mahishasura’s chest. This is referred to as her ‘Sanatana Roopam’. Instead of POP, the idols are made with clay and decorated with sholapith. This is a dry, spongy, milky white cortex of a plant that grows in the Hooghly River. When the idol is immersed in water after the festivities, the sholapith dissolves completely.
Top 10 Durga Puja Pandals in Bengaluru – 2019
You don’t have to be a Bengali to visit the Durga Puja Pandals. Along with pujas at various times in the day, these pandals have cultural events organized and offer a variety of delicious Bengali cuisine. Some of the most popular Durga Puja Pandals in Bangalore are:
1. HSR Layout
- Organized By: Barsha Bengali Association
- Venue: Parangi Palaya, Sector 2, HSR Layout
- Highlights: in-house cultural programs, food stalls and Rabindra Nazrul evening celebrations
2. Koramangala
- Organized by: Sarathi Socio-Cultural Trust
- Venue: Mangala Kalyana Mantapa, 7th Block, Koramangala
- Highlights: children’s cultural performances, concerts by Bollywood artists and music and dance competitions
3. Bellandur
- Organized by: Green Glen Layout Cultural Association
- Venue: Sobha Lake View Club House
- Highlights: Dhunuchi Naach, food stalls, Dj and Dandiya night celebrations
4. Kadugodi
- Organized by: East Bangalore Cultural Association, Kadugodi
- Venue: KMM Royel Convention Center
- Highlights: Music, dance shows and food stalls
5. Bilekahalli
- Organized by: KSUC Durga Puja Committee, Bilekahalli
- Venue: Siri Convention Hall #4
- Highlights: Food stalls, games, music and dance programs
6. Indiranagar
- Organized by: Socio-Cultural Association, Indiranagar
- Venue: Bhoomi Reddy Colony
- Highlights: Anandmela food festivals, folk fusions, and cultural events
7. Electronic City
- Organized by: White Feather Convention Centre, Electronic City
- Venue: Santara Magan Place Phase I
- Highlights: Dandiya nights, pot painting competitions and shows performed by Bollywood singers,
8. JP Nagar
- Organized by: Utsav- Sindhoor Convention Centre, JP Nagar
- Venue: Sindhoor Convention Centre
- Highlights: Puja rituals, music and dance events, fashion shows, plays, dandiya and food stalls
9. Ulsoor
- Organized by: Bengalee Association Bangalore- Manpho Convention Center, Ulsoor
- Venue: 1/A, Assaye Rd, Shivan Chetty Garden Post, Sivanchetti Gardens
- Highlights: Live music performances, talent shows and dance performances
10. Marathahalli
- Organized by: Poorva Bangalore Cultural Association, Doddanekundi
- Venue: BMA College PlayGround
- Highlights: Bengali sangeet and music and dance shows
Most Pandals will be opened to the public for six days starting from October 1st. They will be open through the day and entry is usually free. We encourage you to use Namma Metro wherever possible.