A Complete Guide to C.R.Park’s Durga Puja

Durga Puja is just a few days away and the excitement is through the roof. Chittaranjan Park also called the mini Bengal of Delhi is one of the best places to be during Durga Puja. The setup is grand and can be quite overwhelming for people who are coming here for the first time. Moreover, there are 10 Pandals spread across the place and locating them can be tricky.

Here’s a complete guide of C.R Park, tailored just for you to enjoy a hassle-free Durga Puja.

What to expect?

A question that is thrown at me every year pre-Durga Puja by my friends. So to simplify, Durga Puja is a six-day long series of Pandal (Marquee) hopping, binge eating, diving into spirituality and having a good time with family & friends.

Best way to reach C.R Park

While the whole North, West and South India celebrates Navratri, the Eastern belt indulges into Durga Puja. This results in hours n hours of traffic jams. Jams can be tiring and can drain all your energy by the time you reach C.R Park. The best option is to reach here by metro. Get down at the Greater Kailash II station of Magenta line. A 10 minutes walk will lead you straight to your first stop.

Greater Kailash II Puja Ground

This is the first Puja that you’ll see if you come by metro. You can hear the sound of drums as you approach the grandeur. Don’t forget to click pictures before heading to the next pandal.

K block Puja Ground

The next pandal is just opposite to G.K II puja ground. K block puja has won many awards in the past for best pandal and deity in Delhi. This place is fun to be, with plenty of great eateries serving street food and delicacies. You can also watch cultural shows if you have some extra time.

Kali Bari Puja

Next, we head to the famous Kali Bari. The iconic landmark of C.R Park. The pandal and the deity are crafted in classical style. The backside of the temple is flooded with eateries and jewellery stalls. Don’t forget to ride the mini Columbus, it will surely make you laugh your heart out.

Pocket 52 Puja Ground

Winners of last year for the best idol, this puja is a must-visit. This puja might appear compact but the deity is one of the most artistic deities around C.R Park. Moreover, they are the first to adopt eco-friendly immersion of the idol. Kudos!

Take a break and try out some freshly roasted kebabs from the stalls behind the pandal. They are truly delicious!

Cooperative Puja Ground

Head to the next puja ground, which is 10 minutes walk away from Pocket 52. The straight road leads you directly to this place. The lively aura will fill up your heart with joy. For some thrills, try the Fire Paan from the Paan stall at the pandal.

D block and E block Puja Grounds

These two pandals lie opposite each other. If you want to experience the authentic Para Pujo (colony puja) then these two are just the right ones for you. You can feel the warmth as soon as you enter the pandals. Moreover, the authentic Bengali décor will definitely win your heart.

Mela Ground

Head to the most visited puja in C.R Park, the Mela grounds. The area is gigantic and always flooded with thousands of people whatever the time may be. The décor is grand and the deity is enormously beautiful. You can shop beautiful handicrafts sold by the local artisans of West Bengal.

Pocket 40 Puja Ground

This puja is known for its artistic pandals and they always have an amazing line-up of cultural shows. Watch young and adults dancing their hearts out on the beats of Dhaki (drums) with Dhunuchi (incense stick). The aura is mesmerizing.

B block Puja Ground

The last stop for the day. The place looks no less than a carnival. The pandal always opts for a traditional look. Do try the famous Kolkata Biryani from Kolkata Biryani House stall, it’s worth a try!

Navigating around C.R Park

If you feel tired of walking from one pandal to another, worry not! E-rickshaws will come to your rescue. Just let them know the pandal you want to visit and they’ll drop you at the nearest spot.

What and where to eat in C.R Park

C.R Park is a foodies paradise with so many options. Apart from the food stalls within the pandals, there are Four markets in C.R Park serving amazing food. You can find a variety of Bengali, Mughlai, Chinese and Street Food.

Best time to visit Durga Puja

• If you plan to see the evening prayer (Aarti), then it’s best to reach the pandal before 6 p.m. The evening prayer can be seen in any pandal.
• If you want to have the ‘Bhog’ (offering), then the best time to reach is between 1 to 2 p.m.
• The cultural shows start right after the evening prayer between 7:30 to 8 p.m. Different shows happen on different days. From folk music, classical dance to live theatre.
• Anondo Mela (Food festival) happens on the 5th and 6th day of Durga Puja. The fest starts between 4:30 to 5 p.m. and goes until 8 p.m.
• Visarjan happens on the last day of the Puja, also known as Vijay Dashami. We also celebrate Dussehra on that day. Head to Pocket 52 to attend their eco-friendly Visarjan that starts between 4 to 5 p.m.

Happy Pandal Hopping!