New Delhi, Sept 29: As the city of Delhi basks in the vibrant glow of Durga Puja festivities, the streets of Chittaranjan Park (CR Park) have transformed into a sensory celebration of Bengal filled with the aroma of fried fish, the crunch of phuchkas, sizzling egg and chicken rolls, and the irresistible allure of Bengali sweets. For many, evening strolls through this neighbourhood are not just about food they are a walk down memory lane.
What began in the late 1960s as a modest resettlement colony for East Pakistan refugees has, over time, evolved into Delhi’s own "mini Bengal". CR Park is no longer just a locality it is a living archive of Bengali culture, cuisine, rituals, and above all, Durga Puja, the soul of the community.
From Resettlement to Reverence
Originally named the East Pakistan Displaced Persons (EPDP) Colony, CR Park was developed to house Bengali refugees post-Partition. In the early 1970s, a small group of families began modest Durga Puja celebrations in a local park. Today, those humble beginnings have grown into some of the most iconic and elaborate Durga Puja pandals in North India.
The Chittaranjan Park Kali Mandir Society is one of the most prominent landmarks in this journey. Built on a forested hillock years after the colony’s founding, it now stands as a centre of both religious and cultural life. Prodip Ganguly, Vice President of the Kali Mandir Society, shared with ANI how the society evolved over time from setting up a simple Shiva temple in 1973 to now organising what he calls “the biggest Durga Puja celebration by non-resident Bengalis outside Bengal”.
Reflecting on the early days, Ganguly recalled the hardships undeveloped roads, robberies, and even disturbing discoveries of skeletal remains during land preparation. But despite the odds, the community came together, laying the foundation for what is now a 53-year-old tradition.
A Cultural Powerhouse: Music, Art, and Devotion
The Kali Mandir Society not only conducts grand puja rituals but also curates cultural programs, competitions, and music evenings. Idols are made within the temple premises, and flowers are sourced all the way from Kolkata, preserving authenticity. Local artists and artisans are also brought in to keep the celebration grounded in Bengal’s traditions.
Partha Sarathy Dasgupta, a senior resident and managing committee member, nostalgically recalled his youth volunteering during the puja in the 1970s. “Back then, the pandals were just bamboo structures with tents and simple lighting. During storms, we used to hold the poles so they wouldn’t collapse,” he said.
Mela Ground: Where Tradition Meets Spectacle
Just a few kilometres away, the Mela Ground Durga Puja established in 1974 is celebrating its 50th year. Considered one of North India’s largest Durga Puja events, it has grown into a bustling fairground with cultural programs for all ages.
Deepak Kumar, Joint Secretary of the Durga Puja Samiti at Mela Ground, emphasized the role of East Pakistan migrants in shaping the festival’s history. “There were many challenges poor infrastructure, limited resources. But community support made it possible,” he said.
In earlier days, immersions took place in the Yamuna, and community members personally handled the building and decoration of pandals. “Those behind the scenes our volunteers are the unsung heroes,” Kumar added.
GK-2 Durgotsab: A Homely Heritage Puja
Away from the larger crowds, the GK-2 Durgotsab offers an intimate alternative rooted in family tradition. Dubbed a Bonedi Bari (ancestral home) puja, it reflects the style of celebrations once held in Bengal’s aristocratic households.
Samrat Banerjee, Vice President and a key organiser, shared how his family has maintained this tradition for 34 years, ever since settling in Greater Kailash-II in the early 1990s. “Our rituals are strictly by the book, unchanged from what our elders followed 60-70 years ago. There’s no theme—just tradition,” he said.
Here, Durga is welcomed as Bharat Raj Rajeshwari Katyayani, and celebrations are marked by dhak beats, incense, Pushpanjali (flower offerings), and a devotional ambiance that stands in stark contrast to the grandeur of the larger pandals.
A Spectrum of Celebration, A Shared Heritage
From the artistic marvels of Mela Ground to the cultural sanctity of Kali Mandir Society and the homegrown charm of GK-2 Durgotsab, CR Park’s Durga Puja celebrations represent a vibrant tapestry of tradition, resilience, and collective identity.
For Delhi’s Bengali diaspora, Durga Puja is not just a festival, it is a reaffirmation of roots, a platform for community expression, and a yearly revival of nostalgia. Whether drenched in colour and creativity or immersed in quiet devotion, these celebrations continue to keep the spirit of Bengal alive in the heart of the capital.
Durga Puja in CR Park, now spanning over five decades, is a living testament to the power of culture to bind people, transcend displacement, and recreate home wherever it may be.
Tags: Durga Puja
