Dilip Guha ★ Saraya News, New Delhi: Preparations are in full swing for Durga Puja at Chittaranjan Park (CR Park), popularly known as the Mini Bengal of Delhi, as the Bengali-dominated neighbourhood gears up for one of the capital’s biggest festive celebrations. Combining age-old traditions, cultural festivities and community participation, Durga Puja at the Chittaranjan Park Kali Mandir Society will be celebrated from October 15 to 21, 2026, with this year’s theme highlighting Nari Shakti (women’s empowerment) and a strong emphasis on eco-friendly practices.
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The Kali Temple, a prominent landmark in CR Park, draws devotees and visitors from across Delhi-NCR during the festive season. Behind the grandeur of the celebrations lies months of planning, involving religious rituals, cultural programmes, crowd management, security arrangements and environmental considerations.
Speaking to this reporter, Prodip Ganguly, Chairman of the Cultural Committee at the temple, shared insights into the elaborate preparations for this year’s Durga Puja, highlighting the Nari Shakti theme, women’s active participation, the traditional idol, eco-friendly decorations and comprehensive arrangements for crowd management and visitor safety.
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Months of Planning and the Spirit of Nari Shakti
Preparations for the next Durga Puja begin almost immediately after the current year’s celebrations conclude. According to Ganguly, planning for this year’s festival began around six months ago, covering fundraising, cultural activities, infrastructure, manpower and the space required to accommodate visitors.
Although the principal religious rituals span five main days, the preparations and associated activities extend over nearly a month. The scale of the celebrations requires close coordination among priests, committee members, volunteers and various departments to ensure the smooth conduct of the festival.
The central theme this year is Nari Shakti, reflecting the strength, dignity and empowerment of women. Women play an active role in the celebrations and contribute to different departments of the organising committee, making their participation an integral part of the festival.
The pre-Puja cultural programme began on September 19, bringing together participants from across Delhi-NCR. Competitions in Rabindra Sangeet, Nazrul Geeti, classical instrumental and vocal music, and recitation are being organised for children and adults. The month-long programme will conclude a day before the main Puja rituals begin, offering a platform for emerging talent and cultural enthusiasts.
Cultural Festivities and Traditional Rituals
The celebrations begin with Anandamela, a women-oriented fair featuring food stalls, shopping and other attractions, on Panchami, October 15. The formal religious observances and the unveiling of the idol follow on Shashthi, October 16, marking the beginning of the principal Puja rituals.
The temple’s established organisational structure ensures that responsibilities are distributed among priests, committee chairpersons, convenors and volunteers. Separate arrangements are made for the main Durga shrine and the permanent temples dedicated to Kali, Shiva and Radha-Krishna. This coordination is particularly important given the scale of the celebrations and the large number of devotees expected each day.
The organisers estimate that the Kali Mandir Society’s Durga Puja attracts more than one lakh visitors daily, making crowd management one of their biggest challenges. To enable people beyond Delhi to participate in the festivities, cultural programmes are also livestreamed, a practice the society has maintained for several years.
Security, Healthcare and Crowd Management
Ensuring the safety and convenience of visitors remains a major priority. The organisers have put in place a dedicated disaster management team, CCTV surveillance and coordination mechanisms involving the Delhi Police, security agencies, the fire brigade and hospitals.
Ganguly said that the arrangements are reviewed regularly, with the organising team working to identify potential challenges and make necessary improvements. The society will follow all applicable government guidelines and instructions issued by the relevant authorities.
Special provisions have also been made for senior citizens, persons with disabilities and visitors requiring assistance. Dedicated entry arrangements are available for persons with disabilities and those needing special support, while separate passes have been issued to local residents.
Emergency facilities, including ambulance services, police assistance and other essential services, have been planned. A dedicated emergency counter, reception desk and volunteer teams will help visitors navigate the premises and seek assistance when required. Arrangements for Pushpanjali, prasad, bhog and seating during cultural programmes are also part of the preparations.
Traditional Ekchala Idol and Eco-Friendly Pandal
While Durga Puja celebrations across the country increasingly feature diverse artistic interpretations of the Goddess, the CR Park Kali Mandir Society continues to uphold the traditional Bengali style of idol-making. The temple follows the Ekchala Murti tradition, in which Goddess Durga and the accompanying deities are depicted together beneath a single decorative arch.
Goddess Durga occupies the centre, riding a lion and slaying Mahishasura, while Saraswati, Lakshmi, Ganesha and Kartikeya are placed alongside her within the same structure. The organisers are retaining this traditional arrangement for the 2026 celebrations.
Environmental responsibility is another key feature of this year’s preparations. The idol is being crafted using straw and clay, with organic paints replacing conventional synthetic alternatives. The organisers are also seeking to ensure that the ornaments, costumes and garments used to adorn the Goddess follow the same eco-friendly approach.
According to Ganguly, approximately 99 per cent of the pandal construction is eco-friendly, relying primarily on bamboo and wooden sticks. Although a small amount of thermocol may be used for limited decorative elements, the overall emphasis remains on reducing the use of non-environmentally friendly materials.
The approach reflects an effort to preserve the artistic and religious traditions of Bengali Durga Puja while making the celebrations more environmentally conscious.
Beyond Religion: A Celebration of Community and Culture
For Bengalis, Durga Puja is much more than a religious festival; it is an occasion for family reunions, social interaction and cultural expression. Much like Diwali in many parts of North India, the festival brings together relatives and friends, including those who live in other cities or abroad and return home to celebrate with their families.
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Food and shopping are equally integral to the festivities. Buying new clothes for Puja is a longstanding tradition, with many people choosing different outfits for each day of the celebrations. The festive season consequently creates a lively atmosphere of shopping, social gatherings and culinary indulgence.
Recognising these traditions, the society has arranged stalls for the second consecutive year during the pre-Puja cultural programme. Visitors can browse garments, traditional Bengali attire, handicrafts, jewellery and accessories for women and children, alongside a variety of food stalls.
The number of stalls and the scale of the marketplace are expected to expand during the main Puja celebrations, catering to the growing footfall. Food remains a particular attraction, as families and groups of friends gather to enjoy traditional delicacies and spend time together. The organisers expect the main festival period to have a markedly different atmosphere from the pre-Puja activities, with larger crowds and more extensive arrangements.
A Message to Devotees and Visitors
Management assured devotees that arrangements have been made to facilitate a safe and comfortable visit. Drawing on the society’s experience of managing large crowds, he urged people not to panic or rush, even during peak hours.
Visitors are encouraged to cooperate with volunteers, follow security instructions and use the designated facilities for entry, assistance and emergencies. The organisers have also made provisions for Pushpanjali, prasad and bhog, allowing devotees to participate in the religious observances while enjoying the cultural programmes.
Inviting people from across Delhi-NCR to join the celebrations, Ganguly emphasised the importance of maintaining calm, observing decorum and being considerate towards fellow visitors. The organising teams, he said, are prepared to assist devotees and address any difficulties that may arise.
Nari Shakti: The Message Behind the Celebrations
This year’s Durga Puja at CR Park brings together three defining elements: the celebration of feminine power, the preservation of Bengali cultural heritage and a growing commitment to environmentally responsible festivities. The Nari Shakti theme resonates with the spirit of Durga Puja itself, which honours the divine feminine as a symbol of strength, courage and the triumph of good over evil.
From the traditional Ekchala Murti and eco-conscious pandal to the month-long cultural programme and extensive visitor facilities, the preparations reflect the society’s effort to balance tradition with contemporary concerns. The active participation of women in the organising process further reinforces the theme’s relevance beyond its visual presentation.
The celebrations promise to offer a vibrant glimpse of Bengal’s traditions in the heart of Delhi. With careful planning, coordinated security arrangements and a collective commitment to responsible celebrations, the organisers hope to make this year’s Durga Puja a memorable and inclusive experience for everyone.
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Chittaranjan Park Kali Mandir Society is set to present a vibrant six-day cultural extravaganza during Durga Puja, from October 15 to 20, featuring an eclectic mix of classical music, dance performances, musical ensembles and live band shows.
The cultural programme promises to offer a rich blend of traditional and contemporary entertainment, bringing together established performers and emerging talents to celebrate the festive spirit of Durga Puja.
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The day-wise schedule of cultural programmes is as follows:
October 15: The celebrations will open with a dance performance by the group of Dr Sreya Chatterjee, followed by Dhrupadi – A Musical Ensemble, featuring songs by Rajarshi Debray.
October 16: The evening will feature Saksham – Musical Presentation, a dance performance by Sukanya Nag, Madhu-Madhuriyen – Sitar Recital, and songs by Mihir, Bishakha Basu and Saptak.
October 17: Music lovers can look forward to Sound & Soul by Surojit and Anushka Mukherjee, a dance presentation by the Dvija Group (Debasmita), and a live band performance by Mahakali Express.
October 18: The programme will feature Souro Bondhura, a Bangla band, a dance presentation by Nrityam Madhuram (Shreya), and a live performance by Bong Beats.
October 19: The evening will showcase Strings ‘N’ Steps Kathak – Celebrating Uttam Kumar, a veena recital by maestro Siddhartha Banerjee, and Spectrum, an instrumental orchestra show.
October 20: The cultural festivities will conclude with songs by Rajat Chakraborty, a dance presentation by Passion Group (Bidisha), and a musical performance by Anurag Bhattacharya of Indian Idol fame.
With an exciting line-up spanning classical traditions, Bengali music, dance and contemporary band performances, Chittaranjan Park Kali Mandir Society’s cultural programme is poised to add a special artistic dimension to the Durga Puja celebrations.
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