Durga Puja is one of the Top Durga Puja Pandals in Kolkata and in Bengal. Every year, thousands of people visit many pandals (temporary festival structures) to see the art, the lights, the idols, the themes, and to enjoy the atmosphere. In 2025, there are some pandals that everyone is talking about. These are must-visit places if you are coming to Kolkata or living here.
Below, you will find details about famous pandals like Tala Prattoy (Centenary celebrations), Hatibagan Nabin Pally, Hindusthan Park Sarbojanin, Samaj Sebi Sangha, Behala Friends, Kashi Bose Lane, and others. You will also learn their themes, why they are special, and tips for visiting.
⸻
Tala Prattoy — 100 Years / “Bij Angan”
• Location: Rajkumar Chatterjee Road, Tala Park, North Kolkata. 
• Centenary: 2025 marks its 100th Durga Puja since starting in 1925. 
• Theme: This year the theme is “Bij Angan” (Seed Courtyard). It means seed, growth, nature, environmental consciousness. 
• Artist: The idol and art is by artist Bhabatosh Sutar. 
• Why visit:
• Because of its long history and reputation for artistic excellence.
• The theme is thought-provoking, combining nature and art.
• There are guided walkthroughs by the artist. 
Hatibagan Nabin Pally / Hatibagan Sarbojanin
• This is another famous group of pujas in Hatibagan, North Kolkata.
• One of its pandals has a special collaboration this year: French artist Thomas Henriot is working with Indian theme artist Tapas Dutta. They will make a large artwork (22 x 7 feet) showing Kolkata’s old ghats (river banks) and trying to revive memories of them. 
• Also, Hatibagan’s pandals are using themes related to the freedom struggle and Partition of India, remembering women and unsung heroes. 
⸻
Behala Friends Pandals
• In Behala area (South-West Kolkata), Behala Friends is another very visible puja this year. 
• Their theme this year is “Nabanna – Wounds, War and Hunger”, by artist Pradip Das. It highlights suffering, war, how hunger affects people etc. 
⸻
Other Interesting Pandals & Themes
• Santoshpur Lake Pally: Theme “Jalchitra (Wash)” using Bengal School style watercolour, celebrating a style that is fading. 
• Royal / Traditional ones: There are places like Kashi Bose Lane, Hindusthan Park, Samaj Sebi Sangha which are known for their traditional decorations, crowd pullers, and good idol-making. (Though some specific theme details may not be published yet.)
⸻
Tradition + Innovation
A big thing in 2025 Durga Puja is that pandals are mixing tradition with innovation.
• Traditional idols, rituals, and decorations remain very important. For many people, it is about seeing Maa Durga, listening to the dhakis (drummers), doing Sindoor Khela, lighting, etc.
• But now many pandals are doing art installations, new lighting, themes about social issues, environment, history, etc. Example: Tala Prattoy’s theme about seed, Hatibagan’s themes about Partition, Behala Friends’ theme.
Why These Pandals Are Must-Visit
Here are reasons why students or visitors should plan to see some of these pandals:
1. Art and Culture Learning
You learn about art styles, idol making, design, installations, cultural stories (history, environment).
2. Beautiful Decorations & Lighting
Especially in the evening, pandals are lit beautifully; lights, rangoli, flowers, colorful themes are very photogenic.
3. Themes that Make You Think
Pandals like Tala Prattoy, Behala Friends, Hatibagan are not just decorations; they try to share a message — environment, war, history, unity.
4. Community Feel
Durga Puja is a community festival. You see people from all communities, shops, food stalls, local culture.
5. Tradition & Rituals
Puja rituals, aarti, dhunuchi naach, sindoor, idol immersion, these are spiritual and cultural practices that are deep and old.
⸻
What’s New in 2025
• Centenary Celebrations: Tala Prattoy is celebrating 100 years. Special events are being planned around that. 
• Themes named by the Chief Minister: At Tala Prattoy, the theme “Bij Angan” was named by Mamata Banerjee. 
• Art Walkthroughs: Tala Prattoy will have guided art walks by the artist. 
• More pandals choosing social themes: War, hunger, environment, remembering Partition etc. These make you think, and often tell stories you may not know.
⸻
Tips for Pandal Hopping
If you are a student or a visitor in Kolkata during Durga Puja, here are tips:
• Go in groups with friends. Better safety, fun, sharing costs.
• Visit in the evenings, when lights are on. But evenings are crowded. Try starting just after sunset.
• Wear comfortable shoes. Walking a lot. Some roads get crowded, wet, muddy.
• Use public transport: Metro, buses, shared autos. Traffic is heavy around famous pandals.
• Start early or plan route: For example, plan a day for North Kolkata, another for South etc. Try to group pandals close by.
• Keep some change money. Food stalls are everywhere. Street food like fritters, rolls, sweets etc are part of experience.
• Respect rituals and local people. Avoid noise, respect signs, avoid littering.
• If you can, visit lesser known pandals too. They often show very good art and are less crowded.
⸻
Challenges During Durga Puja
While the festival is wonderful, there are challenges:
• Very large crowds. At big pandals like Tala Prattoy, Hatibagan etc, queues form.
• Traffic jams. Parking is difficult. Getting to popular pandals by car or private vehicle may be slow.
• Safety & hygiene: Because many people gather, watch your belongings, keep water safe, avoid stepping on wet roads etc.
• Weather: Durga Puja is in the autumn monsoon transition time. It may rain; roads can be wet. Carry umbrella or raincoat.
Example Itinerary for 2 Days
Here is a sample plan for two days of pandal visits:
Day 1 – North Kolkata
• Early evening: Start at Tala Prattoy to see seed theme and art walk.
• Then go to Hatibagan Nabin Pally or Hatibagan Sarbojanin – see ghats art, history themes.
• End at Kashi Bose Lane or Samaj Sebi Sangha for more traditional pandals and sweets.
Day 2 – South & Behala
• Morning / early afternoon: Visit Behala Friends to see their theme and installations.
• Then visit Hindusthan Park Sarbojanin.
• Evening: choose one pandal in South Kolkata or move back toward central areas.
⸻
Why Durga Puja Is More Than Just Festivity
For students, Durga Puja offers many lessons:
• Art: Sculpture, themes, installations, lighting design, costume etc.
• History & Culture: Many pandals remember freedom struggle, Partition, social issues. You learn about heritage.
• Civic sense: Street discipline, traffic law, crowd management, helping others.
• Economy: Small businesses, stalls, artisans, jobs – thousands of people earn income during Puja.
⸻
Final Thoughts
Durga Puja 2025 in Kolkata promises to be special. With centenary celebrations, thoughtful themes, beautiful pandals, and a mix of tradition and innovation, this will be a year to remember.
If you are a student, do your pandal hopping right: plan, pick a list of 3-5 pandals you can visit, make a route, go with friends, enjoy the food & culture, learn from what you see.
Kolkata shines in Durga Puja — lights, art, devotion and joy come together. Don’t miss it.
Durga Puja is one of the Top Durga Puja Pandals in Kolkata and in Bengal. Every year, thousands of people visit many pandals (temporary festival structures) to see the art, the lights, the idols, the themes, and to enjoy the atmosphere. In 2025, there are some pandals that everyone is talking about. These are must-visit places if you are coming to Kolkata or living here.
Below, you will find details about famous pandals like Tala Prattoy (Centenary celebrations), Hatibagan Nabin Pally, Hindusthan Park Sarbojanin, Samaj Sebi Sangha, Behala Friends, Kashi Bose Lane, and others. You will also learn their themes, why they are special, and tips for visiting.
⸻
Tala Prattoy — 100 Years / “Bij Angan”
• Location: Rajkumar Chatterjee Road, Tala Park, North Kolkata. 
• Centenary: 2025 marks its 100th Durga Puja since starting in 1925. 
• Theme: This year the theme is “Bij Angan” (Seed Courtyard). It means seed, growth, nature, environmental consciousness. 
• Artist: The idol and art is by artist Bhabatosh Sutar. 
• Why visit:
• Because of its long history and reputation for artistic excellence.
• The theme is thought-provoking, combining nature and art.
• There are guided walkthroughs by the artist. 
Hatibagan Nabin Pally / Hatibagan Sarbojanin
• This is another famous group of pujas in Hatibagan, North Kolkata.
• One of its pandals has a special collaboration this year: French artist Thomas Henriot is working with Indian theme artist Tapas Dutta. They will make a large artwork (22 x 7 feet) showing Kolkata’s old ghats (river banks) and trying to revive memories of them. 
• Also, Hatibagan’s pandals are using themes related to the freedom struggle and Partition of India, remembering women and unsung heroes. 
⸻
Behala Friends Pandals
• In Behala area (South-West Kolkata), Behala Friends is another very visible puja this year. 
• Their theme this year is “Nabanna – Wounds, War and Hunger”, by artist Pradip Das. It highlights suffering, war, how hunger affects people etc. 
⸻
Other Interesting Pandals & Themes
• Santoshpur Lake Pally: Theme “Jalchitra (Wash)” using Bengal School style watercolour, celebrating a style that is fading. 
• Royal / Traditional ones: There are places like Kashi Bose Lane, Hindusthan Park, Samaj Sebi Sangha which are known for their traditional decorations, crowd pullers, and good idol-making. (Though some specific theme details may not be published yet.)
⸻
Tradition + Innovation
A big thing in 2025 Durga Puja is that pandals are mixing tradition with innovation.
• Traditional idols, rituals, and decorations remain very important. For many people, it is about seeing Maa Durga, listening to the dhakis (drummers), doing Sindoor Khela, lighting, etc.
• But now many pandals are doing art installations, new lighting, themes about social issues, environment, history, etc. Example: Tala Prattoy’s theme about seed, Hatibagan’s themes about Partition, Behala Friends’ theme.
Why These Pandals Are Must-Visit
Here are reasons why students or visitors should plan to see some of these pandals:
1. Art and Culture Learning
You learn about art styles, idol making, design, installations, cultural stories (history, environment).
2. Beautiful Decorations & Lighting
Especially in the evening, pandals are lit beautifully; lights, rangoli, flowers, colorful themes are very photogenic.
3. Themes that Make You Think
Pandals like Tala Prattoy, Behala Friends, Hatibagan are not just decorations; they try to share a message — environment, war, history, unity.
4. Community Feel
Durga Puja is a community festival. You see people from all communities, shops, food stalls, local culture.
5. Tradition & Rituals
Puja rituals, aarti, dhunuchi naach, sindoor, idol immersion, these are spiritual and cultural practices that are deep and old.
⸻
What’s New in 2025
• Centenary Celebrations: Tala Prattoy is celebrating 100 years. Special events are being planned around that. 
• Themes named by the Chief Minister: At Tala Prattoy, the theme “Bij Angan” was named by Mamata Banerjee. 
• Art Walkthroughs: Tala Prattoy will have guided art walks by the artist. 
• More pandals choosing social themes: War, hunger, environment, remembering Partition etc. These make you think, and often tell stories you may not know.
⸻
Tips for Pandal Hopping
If you are a student or a visitor in Kolkata during Durga Puja, here are tips:
• Go in groups with friends. Better safety, fun, sharing costs.
• Visit in the evenings, when lights are on. But evenings are crowded. Try starting just after sunset.
• Wear comfortable shoes. Walking a lot. Some roads get crowded, wet, muddy.
• Use public transport: Metro, buses, shared autos. Traffic is heavy around famous pandals.
• Start early or plan route: For example, plan a day for North Kolkata, another for South etc. Try to group pandals close by.
• Keep some change money. Food stalls are everywhere. Street food like fritters, rolls, sweets etc are part of experience.
• Respect rituals and local people. Avoid noise, respect signs, avoid littering.
• If you can, visit lesser known pandals too. They often show very good art and are less crowded.
⸻
Challenges During Durga Puja
While the festival is wonderful, there are challenges:
• Very large crowds. At big pandals like Tala Prattoy, Hatibagan etc, queues form.
• Traffic jams. Parking is difficult. Getting to popular pandals by car or private vehicle may be slow.
• Safety & hygiene: Because many people gather, watch your belongings, keep water safe, avoid stepping on wet roads etc.
• Weather: Durga Puja is in the autumn monsoon transition time. It may rain; roads can be wet. Carry umbrella or raincoat.
Example Itinerary for 2 Days
Here is a sample plan for two days of pandal visits:
Day 1 – North Kolkata
• Early evening: Start at Tala Prattoy to see seed theme and art walk.
• Then go to Hatibagan Nabin Pally or Hatibagan Sarbojanin – see ghats art, history themes.
• End at Kashi Bose Lane or Samaj Sebi Sangha for more traditional pandals and sweets.
Day 2 – South & Behala
• Morning / early afternoon: Visit Behala Friends to see their theme and installations.
• Then visit Hindusthan Park Sarbojanin.
• Evening: choose one pandal in South Kolkata or move back toward central areas.
⸻
Why Durga Puja Is More Than Just Festivity
For students, Durga Puja offers many lessons:
• Art: Sculpture, themes, installations, lighting design, costume etc.
• History & Culture: Many pandals remember freedom struggle, Partition, social issues. You learn about heritage.
• Civic sense: Street discipline, traffic law, crowd management, helping others.
• Economy: Small businesses, stalls, artisans, jobs – thousands of people earn income during Puja.
⸻
Final Thoughts
Durga Puja 2025 in Kolkata promises to be special. With centenary celebrations, thoughtful themes, beautiful pandals, and a mix of tradition and innovation, this will be a year to remember.
If you are a student, do your pandal hopping right: plan, pick a list of 3-5 pandals you can visit, make a route, go with friends, enjoy the food & culture, learn from what you see.
Kolkata shines in Durga Puja — lights, art, devotion and joy come together. Don’t miss it.
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