- By Akansha Pandey
- Tue, 30 Sep 2025 04:33 PM (IST)
- Source:Jagran News Network
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit a Durga Puja pandal on Tuesday evening in Delhi's Chittaranjan Park (CR Park), also known as 'mini Bengal,' to offer his prayers. Local residents are buzzing with excitement about PM Modi’s arrival, which police have confirmed will be around 7 pm on Tuesday. Now, let's explore the history of Durga Puja in Delhi's CR Park.
Delhi's 'Mini Bengal': A Living Embodiment Of Bengali Culture
Just as the Red Fort and India Gate are historical landmarks of Delhi, 'Chittaranjan Park' is a living embodiment of Bengali culture. Every year during Sharadiya Navratri, the area transforms into a reflection of Kolkata, which is why it's also called mini Bengal. In the pandals, Goddess Durga is invoked with devotion and tradition, starting with the Bodhan ritual. The streets are immersed in Bengali splendour, the sound of the dhak (a traditional drum) resonates, and magnificent pandals cast a divine glow. The aroma of khichdi and labra (a mixed vegetable dish) wafts through the air, making every visitor feel a warm welcome to a Bengali Durga Puja. Today, as the Bengali Durga Puja festival begins with the Shashti Vrat of Navratri, we explore the traditions of this mini Bengal of Delhi.
In Chittaranjan Park, Bengali families who have lived for generations have not only preserved but also enriched their traditions. For this small Bengali community in South Delhi, Durga Puja is a religious ritual, a celebration of culture and art, and a way to stay connected to their roots. The magnificent idols in the pandals, colourful decorations, and evening cultural festivities attract everyone, creating a space where the laughter of children, the golden memories of the elderly, and the enthusiasm of the youth all merge. The joy of SindoorKhela and the rhythm of the Dhunuchi dance—every ritual is filled with devotion and celebration. The streets are fragrant with the aroma of traditional sweets, papads, and dishes from homes. The atmosphere throughout the day unfolds like a beautiful story: prayers in the morning, cultural programmes in the evening, and the enthusiasm of devotees under the lights of the pandals at night. In the pandals, you will see some capturing this colourful festival on cameras and mobile phones, while other families enjoy themselves, carrying on their generational traditions. It can be said that the splendour of Navratri here is a living heritage of culture, through which the new generation also connects with its roots and traditions.
Grand Celebrations Adorned With The Roots Of Tradition
The roots of the Durga Puja tradition in Delhi are connected to Chittaranjan Park. The Durgotsav (Durga festival) began here and gradually became the biggest cultural attraction in the entire NCR. For every person who comes here, this puja is not just a religious event but an experience of belonging, even when far from home. The Durgotsav of Chittaranjan Park conveys the message that no matter how distant a tradition may seem, if it is lived with heart, it does not fade but instead grows deeper roots. This can be gauged from the fact that three Durga Puja committees in CR Park are celebrating their golden jubilee this year. Many special preparations have been made to make it memorable.
Ashish Som, the general secretary of the B-Block Chittaranjan Park Durga Puja Committee, says that he joined the puja committee as a volunteer in 1976. Over time, this event has taken on a grand form. Previously, a small pandal used to be set up in a corner of this ground, costing between Rs 20,000 and Rs 22,000. Today, the pandal, which covers the entire ground, has been built for Rs 1.25 crore. President Amit Rai says, "My father was on the committee before, and now I am. For us, this Durga Puja is not just a religious event but a means of preserving our identity, culture, and tradition." Gaurav Bhattacharya, a young person actively fulfilling his responsibilities, says, "Our elders have preserved the heritage of Bengal, and now it is our responsibility to carry it forward. That is why I fully cooperate with the Durgotsav preparations alongside my office work."
Programmes Connecting Generations To Their Heritage
The elders of the community believe that puja pandals are not just for invoking the goddess, but they also become platforms where language, tradition, and identity are passed on to the new generation. This is why, during Durga Puja, cultural programmes shine alongside worship and rituals. Competitions based on the poems of Bengali poets connect the youth with literature, while folk dances and folk music let them hear the heartbeat of their homeland. Meanwhile, the rhythm of the Dhunuchi dance and the art of Alpona (traditional painting) prove that tradition is still alive in every heart.
Dipti Chatterjee and Arundhati Barman, who are assisting with the cultural programmes, say that the purpose of these events is not just entertainment. When children recite poetry or take to the stage in traditional attire, they are unknowingly imbibing the heritage that generations have preserved. The fashion shows held here also carry the message that the confluence of tradition and modernity is what keeps a culture alive.
Decorating The Goddess's Court Together
The Bengali community believes that during Durga Puja, Goddess Durga visits her maternal home when she resides in the pandal. This is why the participation of the entire community is reflected in the preparations to welcome her. Artisans craft the idol, decorate the pandal, and finalise other arrangements. Meanwhile, the men work together on the grand preparations and manage all the logistics. On the other hand, women are also actively involved, from decorating the pandal to preparing delicious dishes and organising cultural programmes. Colourful adornments, delightful food, and joyous events together create an atmosphere in which everyone is immersed in welcoming the Goddess.
Anita Haldar, Sarita Das, and Ishani Dutta, who are busy with the Durgotsav preparations, explain, "We strive with all our heart and soul to ensure there are no shortcomings in welcoming the Goddess. The enthusiasm at home has its own colour, but the energy in the pandals is different. We play our part in every preparation—the puja, decorations, programmes, and the Anand Mela—to make the event grand and memorable."
The 'Anand Mela' Of Culture And Taste
A very special part of Durga Puja is the traditional bhog (food offering) and dishes, and the Anand Mela (fair of joy) brings these moments to life. Women prepare traditional Bengali dishes from their homes and bring them to share. Khichdi, the mixed vegetable dish labra, sweet tomato and date chutney, kheer, sweets, and payesh (rice pudding)—all these dishes together create a world of flavour that connects everyone to their culture. The food stalls here exude the fragrance of belonging, partnership, and community.
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The Anand Mela is also special in that it is not just an exchange of food, but a medium for passing tradition on to the next generation. For children and young people, it is an opportunity to get acquainted with their roots—to learn how many old memories and values are hidden in a simple payesh or labra. Competitions add colour to this festival—from best dish and best sweet to best table decoration. CR Park residents Ajanta Bhattacharya and Dr Soma Talukdar say that the Durga Puja of CR Park teaches us that culture does not survive by being confined to books. It stays alive only when it is lived in daily life and festivals, shared, and passed on to the next generation. That is why, for all of us, Durga Puja has become a beautiful medium for culture to blossom and flourish.