Durga Pujo 2009 – Pandal hopping on the day after the pujas

We decided to visit some award winning pandals on the day after the pujas.

This is the great part of being on vacation and one has all the free time in the world while people are slogging at their offices after the puja break.

Shib Mandir

The entire pandal is made out of banana stems, bark and leaves

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Musicians…

Motifs @ Shib Mandir

The other one we visited was the one called Suruchi Sangha, that was voted as the best and most innovative pandal this year.

The pandal depicts a Jharkhand tribal village and showcasing how they lived in close proximity to nature.

While the pandal has been modelled on a kumbha, the house of Birhors made of leaves and lush green creepers, ethnic Sohrai and Kohbar paintings find place in the interior mandap.

The idol

The painted roof

Durga Pujo 2009 – Dashami & Bishorjon

The 4 days of Durga Puja are nearly over. Our customary trip to my grandmother’s house in North Calcutta for Bijoya is the culmination of the pujas for our family.

Blue skies after the rain drenched pujo

Esplanade … with the sky looking blue as opposed to the usual grey

Deserted College Street on Dashami afternoon

Vivekanda Sporting Club

Amra Sabai

Bishorjon – Nawn e der Pujo

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Central Avenue with the puja decorations

Durga Pujo 2009 – Dashami Pujo

Was invited for Dashami Puja at my neighbour’s residence, opposite to our house in New Alipore. Some pictures . . .

Dashami Pujo

Pujo in progress

A different view

Sandhi Pujo

Sandhi Puja is an important ritual performed during Durga Puja. It is performed at the juncture of Ashtami and Navami. It is believed that Goddess Chamunda emerged at this moment to kill Chando and Mundo, the two generals of the demon king Mahishasur.

Some pictures from the Sandhi Pujo at the New Alipore Association . . .

At the start of the Sandhi Pujo

Crowding to light the 108 lamps

Lighting the lamps

Ma lighting the lamps

Another view

A close-up of the lamp

Sandhi Pujo

Durga Puja 2009 in Calcutta

New Alipore Association organizes a very traditional Durga Puja and is the same this year again.

Saptami evening… after the 1st day of the pujas

Close up…

Horse drawn carriages for the old-world feel of movement between different venues….

Nikon D200; Nikon 18-70 f3.5-4.5