Being born and brought up in the City of Joy , Calcutta , I am a Bengali at heart and a Punjabi by birth. Its that time of the year again when I miss my city the most- Durga Puja . I moved to Gurgaon around 16 years and was not sure if I would be able to experience the Puja celebrations and festivities in the city. Thankfully since Gurgaon has a sizeable Bengali population , this festival is celebrated in many areas and societies and only gets better and bigger each year . This year , Durga Puja will be celebrated from October 15th – October 19th .
Durga Puja Dates
Mahalaya – 8 October 2018 (Monday)- Mahalaya is believed to be the day Goddess Durga descends on earth. The day starts as early as 5 am by listening to the famous ChandiPath by Birendra Krishna Bhadra on the radio or online
Maha Sashti – 15 October 2018 (Monday)
Maha Saptami – 16 October 2018 (Tuesday)
Maha Ashtami – 17 October 2018 (Wednesday)
Maha Navami – 18 October 2018 (Thursday)
Bijaya Dashami – 19 October 2018 (Friday)-Dashami is the day the Goddess returns to her abode. Women offer the Goddess sweets and apply vermilion(sindoor) on her feet and then on each other.This ritual is called ‘Shindoor Khela’
Here’s my list of the Must-Visit Durga Puja Pandals in Gurgaon
| DLF 1 -Community Centre | F-5/6, Block F, DLF Phase 1 | |
| Sushant Lok Cultural Society | C-131 , Sushant Lok 1 (Next to Paras Hospital ) | https://www.facebook.com/Sushantlok-Cultural-Society-Regd-156556774384839/ |
| Bangiya Parishad | Huda Grounds – Sector 56 (Opp More store ) | https://www.facebook.com/BangiyaParishadGurgaon/ |
| Vatika City Durga Puja | Vatika City Community Hall, Sector 49 | |
Dakshin Gurgaon Puja Committee | H Block, Opposite F Block Market,South City 2 | http://www.dgpc.in/ |
| Sector 14 Durga Puja | Sector 14 , Community Centre | |
Purbapalli Durgotsav | Sector 15, Part II | https://www.facebook.com/purbapalli/ |
Sri Sri Durga Puja Samity | Sector 47 | |
| Ankur Cultural Society | HUDA Community Centre, Sector 56(Opp Apollo Clinic ) | https://www.facebook.com/AnkurGurgaon/ |
| Kendriya Vihar Durga Puja | Sector 56 | |
| DLF 5 Club Puja | DLF 5 Club | https://www.facebook.com/events/2245041889101334/ |
| Sahashrabdi Durga Puja Samity | Greenwood City , Sector 45 | https://www.facebook.com/sahashrabdi.durgapuja.samity/ |
Durga Puja is a time for celebration for all . The pandals are open throughout the day and some of them also distribute bhog prasad in the afternoon between 12.30 pm-2.30 on Ashtami and Nobomi . I just love going to the DLF 1 community centre pujo during the morning aarti as it is followed by Dhaak (dhol) . They also have it in the evenings alongwith Dhunuchi naach . The foodie in me is the most happiest during Durga Puja as most of the Puja pandals have food stalls especially serving Bengali cuisine. From egg roll to mughlai paratha to sorshe ilish to dimer devil , you’ll get it all . Few Puja pandals like Bangiya Parishad , Susgant Lok Community Centre and DLF 1 community centre also have Anandomela on a particular evening where Bengali Home Chefs set up their stalls to serve delectable food . All these are paid stalls .
It is advisable to visit the pandals early in the evening as it becomes really crowded later.Most of the pandals do have designated car parking space.
Happy Puja Pandal Hopping this year and do let us how was your experience
Few pandals have shared their schedule
Sharing this beautiful song from a Bengali Movie Bela Sheshe that truly captures the essence of Durga Pujo
