New Delhi: As the calendar inches closer to Durga Puja, the lanes of some city localities have begun to hum with quiet anticipation. At scattered pandal sites, artisans sit cross-legged on the ground, the earthy scent of clay thick in the air as they paint the goddess with steady, reverent hands. This year, the excitement is especially palpable — three of CR Park’s iconic pandals are going to celebrate their 50th year, each unveiling a distinct theme, from heartfelt tributes to Mother Earth to artistic interpretations of the nine divine forms of Durga. All around, towering bamboo structures are taking shape, half-draped in fabric with the ground beneath strewn with colourful materials. Strings of lights dangle overhead and the sound of chatter and laughter floats through the neighbourhoods.With lakhs of visitors expected, each organising committee is pulling out all the stops to make their golden jubilee year unforgettable. Budgets have soared, touching nearly a crore in some cases.At Cooperative Ground in CR Park, the entrance is currently a massive bamboo gateway opening onto a sprawling field. The pandal’s theme is Mahishadal Rajbari, a 16th-century palace tucked away in East Midnapore district that stands as a silent-yet-enduring witness to Bengal’s regal heritage and spiritual devotion. Once a thriving royal abode echoing with conch shells, dhak beats and solemn rituals, the Rajbari is coming alive in the heart of Delhi this year. “The entire pandal design will transport you straight to the heart of Raj-era Bengal, where spirituality met splendour,” said an organiser.During the Puja days, this pandal draws 1.3 to 1.5 lakh visitors every day. “We also serve food to 10,000-15,000 underprivileged people daily. This year, 10 dhakis are coming from West Bengal — 250-300 dhakis travel to Delhi every year from the state during Durga Puja,” said Anup Tagore, a member of Durga Puja Samiti at Chittaranjan Park Mela Ground. “We are also bringing in singers who have performed on major reality shows.” The B Block puja, which is also celebrating its golden jubilee, has a deeply symbolic theme, Mother Earth. “Everything pure comes from soil. We are born from it and return to it,” said the president of its organising committee, Amit Kumar Roy. Not only the idols are being crafted entirely from soil, the pandal itself will wear muted earthen hues. Even sponsor hoardings will follow the same colour palette, blending seamlessly into the theme.“The goddess will be flanked by nine forms of Durga, with offerings served in earthenwares. Special khichudi bhog will be served free to all visitors while contributors will receive sweet boxes made with pure ghee and Himachali apples. A traditional sweet, rajbhog, will make a one-time return,” said Roy.Around 50,000 diyas will light up the pandal, alongside Bengal’s Chandannagar-style lighting. The committee has brought in 16 priests from Midnapore, and also dhakis, artists and craftsmen from Bengal. The golden year, the organisers said, is about honouring traditions while passing the baton to the next generation.Not too far, Mela Ground hosts one of the largest pandals in CR Park, and preparations are in full swing. The vast field is currently dotted with towering bamboo frameworks that will soon transform into a grand, ornate structure. “This year, we are expecting nearly 1.5 lakh visitors every day. It also marks our 50th year,” said Narayan Dey, organiser-secretary of Mela Ground Durga Puja Samiti.For their golden jubilee, the committee is recreating the splendour of a Rajbari from Malda as the pandal’s theme. “We are installing a 22-foot idol this time. Artists from Kolkata are coming to work on the pandal, and around 15 dhakis will perform. During these auspicious days, we also serve meals to the underprivileged and around 10,000 senior citizens every day,” Dey added.Another popular stop is Pocket 52, where Dakshin Palli Durga Puja Samiti is gearing up for the festivity with a 14-foot-tall Durga idol. “Several cultural events are planned and a key highlight is an initiative to support women entrepreneurs by offering them stalls to showcase their products. We will also have singers from Kolkata,” said president PK Paul. From clothing and jewellery to wellness and handicrafts, the committee aims to celebrate creativity while empowering women-led brands within the community. It is also hosting a series of activities, including a naming and logo design contest for the cultural event. While CR Park stands apart with almost every park, big or small, transforming into a pandal and the entire neighbourhood turning into a vibrant, immersive celebration zone, the city also hosts several other notable Durga Pujas, from over-100-year-old Kashmere Gate to Matri Mandir Kali Bari in Safdarjung Enclave and another in Mayur Vihar.At Matri Mandir, the pandal theme draws from Vishnu temples with three grand entry gates. “The colours will be predominantly violet and golden. We expect 6,000-7,000 visitors daily,” said Chandana Mukherjee, the president of Matri Mandir Samiti.The Kalibari Mayur Vihar puja committee is marking its 43rd year with ‘Amito Boro Hoini’, a nostalgic tribute to Bengali childhood. The pandal showcases handcrafted figurines of beloved comic characters and Sukumar Ray’s whimsical limericks, alongside cultural programmes and bhog distribution, blending tradition and social relevance for today’s AI-driven generation. “Both local artists and those from Bengal will perform,” said Sowmojeet Banerjee, executive committee member of Kalibari Mayur Vihar Samiti.
