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This post is part of our Travel Blogs series.. If you are in Kolkata during Durga Puja and want to know about South Kolkata Durga Puja 2026 Pandals to hop on, then this blog is for you.

This year, Durga Puja runs from 16 to 21 October 2026, with Mahalaya on 10 October. Durga Puja is celebrated all over the world, but nobody does it quite like Kolkata. This is the time of year when the city slows down and welcomes its daughter, Maa Durga, into its homes and its lives. 

History

Inscriptions from the 16th century mention grand Durga Pujas held by the zamindars of Bengal. The festival is much older than that, but the 16th century is where our history books give us reliable records, so that is where we start. 

The household Durga Pujas of Kolkata are known as Bonedi Bari Pujas. They are more of an emotion for the family than a public event. The bigger houses used to place the idol in the courtyard of their palaces so that people could come and pray, and many still do. In this blog, however, we focus on Barowari pujas, the community pujas that are open to everyone. 

If you want to know more about the festival, read this overview of Durga Puja..

Pandals

Kolkata is known for its grand pandals, the temporary structures that house the idols of Maa Durga. The festival reached new heights when UNESCO added Kolkata’s Durga Puja to its Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2021. 

We have split this guide into two parts: South Kolkata (this post) and North & Central Kolkata. This post covers 20 pandals across 16 stops, and you can do them in one long day or comfortably over two days. 

We have arranged the stops to give you the quickest road and metro links. Traffic during Puja gets very heavy, and every hour spent stuck in it is a pandal you miss.

Durga Puja 2026 dates 

Day	Date	What to know
Mahalaya	Sat 10 Oct	Devi Paksha begins
Maha Shashthi	Fri 16 Oct	Most pandals open to visitors
Maha Saptami	Sat 17 – Sun 18 Oct	The tithi runs across two days this year
Maha Ashtami	Mon 19 Oct	Pushpanjali and Sandhi Puja
Maha Navami	Tue 20 Oct	Many families revisit favourite pandals
Vijaya Dashami	Wed 21 Oct	Sindoor Khela and immersion begin

Some calendars start Shashthi a day later, so always check the date with the puja committee. As a rule, mornings and the days before Saptami are calmer, and Ashtami and Navami nights are the busiest.

Route

This is the order we suggest. The 16 stops cover 20 pandals, because four stops have two pandals side by side. 

• Suruchi Sangha
• Chetla agrani
• Badmtala Ashar Sangha
• 66 pally & Nepal Bhattacharjee Street
• Mudiali Club
• Shiv Mandir Sarbajanin
• Deshapriya park
• Tridhara Sammilani
• Ballygunge Cultural & Samaj Sebi
• Hindustan Club & Hindustan Park
• Ekdalia Evergeeen Club
• Bosepukur Sitala Mandir
• Rajdanga Naba Uday Sangha
• Babubagan
• Selimpur Pally
• Jodhpur park & Jodhpur Park 95 Pally

Plan A: one day, 14 pandals 

Best if you have only one day, or if you would rather skip the far-south pandals. Covering all 20 in a single day is not realistic on a busy night, so this plan keeps to the Kalighat, Rashbehari and Gariahat stretch, where the pandals are close together. As a rough guide, allow 30 to 40 minutes per pandal, including queues, so start by mid-afternoon and expect to finish around midnight. 

Block 1: New Alipore and Kalighat (5 pandals) 

Suruchi Sangha, Chetla Agrani, Badamtala Ashar Sangha, 66 Pally, Nepal Bhattacharjee Street. 

Block 2: Mudiali to Rashbehari (6 pandals) 

Mudiali Club, Shib Mandir Sarbojanin, Deshapriya Park, Tridhara Sammilani, Ballygunge Cultural Association, Samaj Sebi Sangha. 

Block 3: Gariahat (3 pandals) 

Hindustan Club, Hindustan Park, Ekdalia Evergreen Club. Add Singhi Park, opposite Ekdalia, if you still have energy. 

Left out: Bosepukur Sitala Mandir, Rajdanga Naba Uday Sangha, Babubagan, Selimpur Pally, 95 Pally and Jodhpur Park. Save these for a second outing. 

Plan B: two days, all 20 pandals 

This is the relaxed version and the one we recommend. Day 2 has fewer pandals because you travel more between Kasba and Dhakuria. If you can choose your days, go on Shashthi and Saptami, before the Ashtami and Navami rush. 

Day 1: New Alipore, Kalighat and Rashbehari (11 pandals) 

1. Suruchi Sangha 

2. Chetla Agrani 

3. Badamtala Ashar Sangha 

4. 66 Pally 

5. Nepal Bhattacharjee Street 

6. Mudiali Club 

7. Shib Mandir Sarbojanin 

8. Deshapriya Park 

9. Tridhara Sammilani 

10. Ballygunge Cultural Association 

11. Samaj Sebi Sangha 

Day 2: Gariahat, Kasba and Dhakuria (9 pandals) 

1. Hindustan Club 

2. Hindustan Park 

3. Ekdalia Evergreen Club 

4. Bosepukur Sitala Mandir 

5. Rajdanga Naba Uday Sangha 

6. Babubagan Club 

7. Selimpur Pally 

8. 95 Pally 

9. Jodhpur Park 

Take cabs or autos between Kasba and Dhakuria. The lanes around Dhakuria fill up on Saptami, Ashtami and Navami, so try to do Day 2 early in the Puja. 

How to start 

We suggest starting at Suruchi Sangha in New Alipore. Get off the metro at Kalighat or Rabindra Sarobar and take an auto or cab from there.

You can also start from Badamtala Ashar Sangha, which is close to Kalighat metro, or from Mudiali Club. But you will then have to go back to Suruchi Sangha at some point, so it is better to start there. Follow the order above and you cover the whole stretch up to Ekdalia Evergreen in one go. 

Download the Kolkata Police puja map here. On Puja evenings the police close some roads and make others one-way, so follow the barricades on the ground. 

Suruchi Sangha

Suruchi Sangha in New Alipore, is one of the favorite destinations of Durga Puja revellers. As mentioned earlier you can get down in Kalighat metro or Rabindra sarobar and take a cab, bus or an auto to reach there.

Suruchi Sangha have stepped into their 74th year with a theme of Padma (Lotus). The lotus stands for purity and spiritual grace and the mandap decorated with a traditional idol and straw-heavy décor.

Chetla Agrani

From Suruchi Sangha you can directly take an auto or a bus to get down near Chetla Agrani which is not far away.

They have stepped in to their 67 years with a theme of  Bengal’s folk culture and rural life (Banglar lokosanskriti o abohoman gramin rup).

The pandal brings in folk craft, patachitra, clay work and village scenes, and the idol carries the same folk-art touch

From Chetla Agrani you can either go towards Mudiali club or go straight to Badamtala Ashar Sangha. We recommend Badamtala Ashar Sangha as its near the Kalighat metro station which is closer to Chetla Agrani.

Badamtala Ashar Sangha

The club steps foot into their 88th year and their theme this time around is Swapne Pawa Ruper Rani, Jagrat Maa Jagatjanani. Designed by artist Rono Banerjee, the theme draws inspiration from the divine stories and history of a South Kolkata saint, blending dreams with the awakened presence of Maa Jagatjanani

For over 88 years, Badamtala Ashar Sangha has touched millions of hearts with its timeless presence. Each year, its Durga Puja rises from humble beginnings to become a magnificent celebration of devotion and tradition.

66 Pally & Nepal Bhattacharjee Street

Both are different Puja pandals but very close to each other so you can easily cover them in the time allotted actually.

In their 76th year, the 66 Pally Puja has announced their theme as Souls of Fire: Forty-one Forgotten Revolutionaries of the Age of Fire. It remembers lesser-known young revolutionaries executed during Bengal’s militant resistance after the 1905 Partition. Fire stands for both destruction and liberation, and the Goddess is shown as resistance. The committee listing also gives the tagline “Tomar Pore Thekai Matha

Just beside 66 Pally you can quickly cover the puja pandal of Nepal Bhattacharjee Street which is celebrating their 47th year old Durga puja.

Their theme this year is Ma Ebar 1 Rupi Noy, 64 Rupini. It is inspired by the ancient Chausath Yogini temples and their 64 forms of the Goddess. Visitors walk through a weathered stone courtyard of sculpted niches. The idol, by Ratan Chitrakar, merges Durga’s face with her lion.

Mudiali Club

Once you are done, go straight towards Mudiali club, you can either walk, or take a metro to get down in Rabindra Sarobar or take a quick cab/auto to reach Mudiali club which is close to Rabindra Sarobar metro station.

Mudiali Club is one of the most well known puja committee in South Kolkata and is known for their creativity. The theme, this year is known as Oitijyer Lokokotha (Folktale of Heritage). Artist Biman Saha builds it around an old Kolkata saying. When Durga visits the city, she dresses at the Shibkrishna Dey house in Jorasanko, eats bhog at Abhoycharan Mitra’s house in Kumortuli, and watches the dance at Shobhabazar Rajbari. The idol remains the centrepiece

Shiv Mandir Sarbajanin

Just beside Mudiali club if you walk 100 metres you would arrive in Shiv Mandir Puja Pandel.

Inspired by Rajasthan’s Gangaur festival. Gauri, a form of Shakti, is the heart of the festival, and five adorned idols are carried on women’s heads in procession. The pandal links this to Durga Puja as a celebration of the divine feminine. Concept by Prasant Pal, idol by Tapan Majhi, lighting by Premendu Bikash Chaki

Deshapriya Park

Just a few metres from Shibmandir you would land to Deshapriya Park, their theme this year is “Jalchhobi”

Famous for the world tallest Dura idol created in 2015, this puja first started in 1938 and is known to be one of the oldest pujas in South Kolkata.

Tridhara Sammilani

Established in 1950, Tridhara Akalbodhan Durgotsav — popularly known as Tridhara Sammilani — marks its 76th year in 2026. The theme for Tridhara Sammilani (Tridhara Akalbodhan Durgotsav) Durga Puja 2026 in South Kolkata is “Surasur” (the eternal conflict and harmony between Devas and Asuras), along with the conceptual framing of “Bhabna O Prakriti” (Cosmic Harmony and Environmental Consciousness).

The installation explores the eternal tug-of-war and ultimate union between good and evil (Shubha and Ashubha), delivering a message of social balance, harmony, and new beginnings amidst changing times.

Ballygunge Cultural Association & Samaj Sebi

Just opposite to Tridhara Sammilani, if you cross the Rashbehari connector on the other side you can easily spot the puja pandal of Ballygunge Cultural Association.

The theme this year is Jojon (Connection). The theme links people with people, and people with the environment. Artist is Sushanta Shibani Pal. Its “Mission Re: Rejoice. Recycle. Repeat” collects plastic on site and turns old banners into tote bags and coasters. Puja flowers are composted into organic manure.

Once you are done just walk 100 metres to also visit Samaj Sebi club. In 2026, Samajsebi Sangha weaves a soulful tribute with the theme Mahapujoy Mahanayak.

A tribute to Uttam Kumar in his birth centenary year, tracing his life, struggles and the Bengali cinema of the 1960s and 70s. The pandal uses a collage of posters from all 208 of his films. Concept by Biswanath Dey, idol by Arighna Saha

Hindustan Club & Hindustan Park

Hindustan Club organises one of the best pandals and idols every year. They got multiple awards for their exception art inside the pandal and this year also they plan to create something like this.

In 2026, Gariahat Hindustan Club pays a soulful tribute to Maa Durga through its evocative theme song titled Durga Dalan. It recreates how Durga was worshipped in the old zamindar and bonedi bari dalans, with a traditional feel. The puja is run entirely by women

Just beside the club, you can visit Hindustan Park Puja as well.

The theme for Hindustan Park Sarbojanin Durga Puja 2026 is a powerful and imaginative vision of “Schooling”.

Ekdalia Evergreen Club

Once you are done with Hindustan Club reach Gariahat crossing and cross the road to view the Ekdalia Evergreen Club puja pandal.  Established in 1943, this club is set to celebrate 84 years of their Puja. They don’t go by any theme of any sort and generally creates pandals based on different temples of India.

The theme this year is Somnath Temple, Gujarat. A full-scale replica of the first of the twelve Jyotirlingas. The traditional ekchala sabeki idol stays as the centrepiece.

You can also go to Singhi Park which is opposite to Ekdalia club if time permits.

Bosepukur Sitala Mandir

If you are near Gariahat take the lane which goes towards Ballygunge railway station, you can get plenty of buses, autos to take you to the Kasba area and will drop you right in front of the pandal of Bosepukur Sitala Mandir.

They have received multiple awards for best pandal, and also known as one of those first puja committees who have pioneered in the art of Theme based pandels and idol.

The theme this year is Dhwongsho (Destruction). It shows war, floods and unplanned urbanisation, and the new life that sprouts out of the ruins. Concept and design by Tushar Kanti Pradhan.

Rajdanga Naba Uday Sangha

Take an auto from opposite of Sitala Mandir mandap or a bus to go to Rajdanga Naba Uday Sangha, Get down near Acropolis Mall and the mandap is in walking distance.

The theme for Rajdanga Naba Uday Sangha Durga Puja 2026 is “Shodhon (Purification)”, conceptualized by artist Debasis Barui.

Once done you can take the route which goes from Acropolis Mall towards Dhakuria. You can get autos from opposite of Acropolis Mall or can take a cab from there to go to Dhakuria. Or you can take the auto back to Gariahat and walk towards Golpark to take another auto to reach Dhakuria to visiti Babubagan club.

Babubagan Club

For Durga Puja 2026, Babubagan Sarbojanin Durgotsav (located in Dhakuria, South Kolkata) features a unique theme built entirely out of doors (“A Pandal Made of Doors” / Old & New Kolkata-inspired architecture)

Selimpur Pally

Once you are done come to the main road i.e. RSC Mullick road and walk towards Jadavpur to get Selimpur Pally puja pandal to your left.

The theme for Selimpur Pally Durga Puja 2026 is Naibedyo (Offering). The pandal’s saucer-shaped bamboo canopy was built first, over an empty circular stage.

Jodhpur Park and 95 Pally

Once you are done visiting Selimpur Pally cross the road and walks towards Jodhpur Park just opposite to it to get into Jodhpur Park 95 Pally puja pandal.

The 2026 theme for Jodhpur Park 95 Pally is Guptayan. Gupta means hidden and ayan means journey, so it is a journey into concealment and hidden meanings. The banner shows a young girl holding up the goddess’s mask. Concept and creative direction by Parimal Pal.

Just few meters across we have another mandap called Jodhpur Park as well. Both are beautiful mandaps to visit.

Quick tips

• Wear comfortable shoes. You will walk a lot. 

• Carry water, a power bank and some cash for street food. 

• Metro hours are extended during Puja. Check the latest Kolkata Metro timetable before you go. 

• Agree a meeting point with your group before joining a queue, because phone networks can jam in crowds. 

Conclusion

If you are coming to Kolkata or staying back for Puja, you can follow this itinerary to see the best South Kolkata pandals. This is definitely not the final list, and there are plenty of other pandals worth a visit. We arranged the order so that travel and connectivity stay as smooth as possible. 

Other South Kolkata pandals to look out for (we have not checked their 2026 themes yet): 

1. Naktala Udayan Sangha
2. Haridevpur 41 Pally
3. Ajeyo Sanghati
4. Bhowanipur 75 Palli
5. Hazra Park
6. Khiddepore 25 palli
7. Khiddepore 75 palli
8. Santoshpur Trikon Park
9. Santoshpur Lake Palli
10. Behala Notun Dol
11. Barisha Club
12. Maddox Square
13. Chakraberia Sarbajanin
14. Behala Young Mens Association

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