Noida: A temple of gilded Thai spires in Sector 25, a white marble Victoria Memorial rebuilt in bamboo and foam in Sector 61, a thakur-dalan with sprawling colonnades in Greater Noida West — Durga Puja pandals in the city are set to rival the glitz of Delhi’s Chittaranjan Park this year.In Sector 25, where Jalvayu Vihar Sanskritik Kalyan Samiti is celebrating its 34th year, the spiritual richness of Bengal has blended with the artistic splendour of Southeast Asia. Its pandal draws on the spired roofs seen at Thailand’s Wat Arun temple.“The design is not merely an architectural representation. It showcases a journey across borders, reminding us that devotion transcends geography and establishes peace,” said Jaya Dey of the samiti.In Sector 61, Balaka Durgotsav has cloaked an existing building in bamboo, cloth and sculpted foam to resemble Kolkata’s Victoria Memorial, rising 63 feet high and 65 feet wide. The committee has showcased the last Durga idol completed by the late Salil Bhattacharya, who is credited with making it possible to design and model traditional idols in Delhi itself, reducing the city’s reliance on complete idols transported from places such as Varanasi and West Bengal.In its 11th year, Gaur City Bengali Cultural Association in Greater Noida West has recreated a “Thakurbari Dalan” — portico-pillared worship halls typically seen in the homes of Bengal’s zamindars — at Dada Dadi Park. “The pandal evokes the old-world charm where family members across generations would gather for Durga Puja,” said Raja C Sen of the Samity.In Sector 62, Sarbojonin Puja Samiti is marking its silver jubilee with a pandal modelled on Sri Mayapur Chandrodaya Mandir. A cloud-hued Megha-Shyama backdrop evokes Lord Krishna, the inner walls carry scenes from his ‘leelas’, and the garbhagriha is woven from Hogla, a dried-leaf craft that lends it warm golden-brown tones. “Spanning around 7,000 square feet, the pandal and mandap together will form one of the largest Durga Puja structures in the Delhi NCR region,” said Deblina Roy of the Samiti. More than 50 artisans from Midnapore were brought in to work on the pandal.Against all this grandeur, the city’s oldest puja has chosen humility. At Noida Kalibari in Sector 26, now in its 44th year, the pandal recreates a “kure ghor”, a mud-walled village hut with a roof of dried rice straw, inspired by homes in the interiors of West Bengal. The idol is adorned in a traditional white sari with a red border associated with village women.“The objective is to give visitors from Delhi-NCR an opportunity to experience and understand how traditional village homes celebrate Durga Puja,” said Anupam Banerjee, vice president of Noida Kalibari.For those who tire of pandal-hopping, the evenings offer cultural and musical programmes. Balaka Durgotsav has lined up five evenings of performances, with more than 100 Bharatanatyam, Kathak and Odissi dancers, over 50 vocalists, Rabindra Sangeet and dance dramas. Ayush Gupta, winner of Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Zee Bangla, is also set to perform live.Noida Kalibari will host singers and dance troupes, with a special appearance by Debosmita of Indian Idol fame. In Sector 50, Saptarshi Sangha, celebrating its 22nd edition around the theme “Matri Mandir”, has lined up Agomoni songs, group dances, fusion bands, a homage to Asha Bhosle and Chhau dancers, besides an AI short film competition for schoolchildren.In Sector 78, Central Noida Pujo Committee, in its eighth edition, builds its pandal around Mount Kailash and will hold a live singing contest.In Sector 12, Sarbojanin Durga Puja Samity, the city’s second oldest, marks its 42nd year with a pandal of jute and soil and performances by artistes from Bengal. “Over the years, faces and generations have changed, the city has transformed, but the spirit of togetherness and devotion has remained unwavering,” said Bibhash Deb, president of the Samity.While Anand melas are set to begin on Oct 15-16, the festival will be celebrated from Oct 17-20 and end on Oct 21 with sindoor khela and idol immersion.
