Durga Puja or Shardotsav, an annual Hindu festival celebrates the victory of Goddess Durga over Mahishasura – a mythological demon. The festival begins with chanting of the ‘Mahalaya’ an invocation or invitation to the Maa Durga to descend on Earth from Kailasha on the auspicious occasion. Mahalaya is observed seven days prior to Durga Puja. This year Durga Puja starts on September 25.
Bengali folks decked up in traditional clothes fervently visit the lavish pandals for celebrations that last up to four days. People throng the pandals to seek blessings of Durga Maa. Although Durga Puja is primarily a Bengali festival but it is celebrated with full enthusiasm by non-Bengalis too in the city. In fact, the glitzy pandals with delectable food stalls on offer, quintessential religious ceremonies, and cultural evenings with celebrity performances are the biggest attractions of Durga Puja every year.
Th decoration of pandals draw the maximum crowd with the beautifully decorated idols of deities. It seems every year there is a stiff competition among Puja committees and organizers to come up with unique themes for pandals to grab maximum eyeballs and footfalls. In the past, pandals had created replicas of some famous Temples, Eiffel tower, Gateway of India, other British and Mughal architectural beauties. Sometimes the pandals are built on the concepts ranging from scenes from Mahabharat and Ramayana to social messages of Go Green. It is interesting to see which theme will dominate the pandal decoration this year.
The homecoming of Goddess Durga is celebrated with rythmic thumping of Dhaks (drum) and Aarti with traditional dhunachi dance. The scent of incense sticks and blazing lights bring a mesmerizing devotional aura to the entire Puja scene. If you are planning to soak in this experience and savor scrumptious food then we suggest you read this guide. It will help you find best places to go Durga Puja Pandal hopping in Noida.
1. Noida Kalibari – NBCA Durga Puja
Noida Bengali Culture Association (NBCA), established in 1984 is the oldest Puja Samiti of Noida. Kalibari Puja Samiti will be celebrating Durga Puja 35th year in a row. Noida Kali Bari Durga Puja Samiti every year organises the puja at the Kali Mandir ground. This place witnesses the maximum traction during Durga Puja, Devotees from Noida as well as other parts of Delhi NCR visit to have bhog and seek blessings of Goddess Durga. A footfall of 2500 to 3000 people is quite common here during the puja days. NBCA is a social organisation which supports number of activities throughout the year like a charitable dispensary, a non profit dharmasala, blood donation camps and cultural programs throughout the year.
Where: Noida Kali Bari, E-5C, Kalibari Marg, Near 3BRD Airforce Road, Sector 26, Noida
NBCA – Noida KaliBari on Facebook
2. Saptarshisangha Durga Puja
Saptarshi Sangha is a community based initiative in Noida that organizes various social, cultural and welfare activities. Every year since 2005 Saptarshi Sangha Trust organizes Durga Puja in the park adjoining ATS Greens – 2 in Sector 50. This sector has a sizable population of Bengali families. They come together to celebrate Durga Puja and share the bonding and love. In fact, this years Puja preparation has started already from July in full swing. The highlight of this Puja celebrations is the annual group dance competition – Mudra on September 25.
Where: E 5, Ground behind Community Center, Sector 50, Noida
Facebook: Saptarshisangha Durga Puja
3. Durga Puja at Supertech Cape Town Noida
Aahoban, an Association of Bengali Cultural Committee, is organizing Sri Sri Durga Puja at Supertech Cape Town Noida. Durga Puja celebrations this year are going to be held for the first time in this residential society. Organizers are expecting a footfall of over thousand to join Puja that is held from 8am – 10pm. Visitor can enjoy cultural evenings, celebrity performances, some fun competitions, stalls of food, handicrafts, furnishings, apparel and more at this fully wi-fi eneabled Puja pandal.
Where: Supertech Cape Town, Plot No. GH – 01/A, Sector 74, Noida
Read more about this Durga Puja here
4. Durga Puja 2017 at Prateek Wisteria
Durga Puja Samiti at Prateek Wisteria has been celebrating Durga Puja for the last 2 years and this year too they are all set to welcome Maa once again with full fervor. So block your dates from September 25-30 for festive celebrations and prepare to eat all you can in ‘Anandamela’, dance away your blues with ‘Dhunuchi dance’, enjoy the evenings with song and dance and finally bid her goodbye with ‘Sindoor Khela’. The Durga Puja Samiti will organize a Bhandar on September 29 (Maha Navami) in the afternoon for all Wisterians. Stalls of food and merchandise, cultural performances, group dance and a mega Musical Night on September 25 are the main atractions of the Durga Puja at Prateek Wisteria Housing Society.
Where: Back Greens and back Amphitheater, Prateek Wisteria, Sector 77, Noida
Facebook: Durga Puja Samiti at Prateek Wisteria
5. Durga Puja Sharodutsav 2017
Vaishali Cultural Association (VCA) will organize Sharodutsav 2017 from September 26th – 30th at Vaishali Kali Bari Playground. The festival in its 24th uninterrupted year will be celebrated with traditional flavor and festivity. Organizers expressed their happiness for overwhelming support received from all quarters over the years defying language barrier. As per them this makes a strong statement on our ‘Indianness’ and the inclusiveness of the Durga Puja. Vaishali Cultural Associaiton has made arrangements for Kali Puja (October 19) and Saraswati Puja (January 22) as well. Join them at a festival which promises to have something for all ages. Share the joy, enrich your soul and enjoy the festival in a family environment.
Where: Vaishali Cultural Association (VCA), Vaishali kali bari, Opp. Sarvodaya hospital, Ghaziabad
Facebook: Vaishali Cultural Association (VCA)
6. Sarbojanin Puja Samiti Durga Puja in Sector 71
Durga Puja in 17th year by Sarbojanin Puja Samiti at Sector 71 has already begun in full swing with Khunti Pujo on September 5. Durga Puja is the festival where all Bengali and non Bengali engage together, like elsewhere in Noida city, for four days of puja festivities starting from Anandamela on Mahapachami leading up to immersion procession to the Yumana river on Maha Dashami.
Where: SDPS EWS, Sector 71, Noida
Facebook: Sarbojanin Durga Puja Samiti – SDPS EWS
7. Jalvayu Vihar Sanskriti Kalyan Samiti Durgotsava
Jalvayu Vihar Sanskriti Kalyan Samiti will be celebrating 25th Durga Puja this year from September 25 – 30 at JVSKS Puja Ground. It was established in the year 1993 with Bengali residents of Sector 21 & 25. Loukhee Puja will be held on October 5 while Bijoya Sammelani will be on October 7. The beautiful pandals will hold celebrations with Live music and dance performances, Dhaki, along with rituals of Pushpanjali, Bhog, Havan and Aarti of Maa Durga.
Where: Jalvayu Vihar, JVSKS Puja Ground, Sector 25, Noida.
Website: JVSKS
8. Sarbojanin Puja Durga Utsav at Kendriya Vihar II
Sarbojanin Durga Puja Utsav at Kendriya Vihar and adjoining areas is organized by SDPS Trust. They will also hold Laxmi Puja, Shyama Puja and Saraswati Puja on October 5, 9 and 22 respectively. During Durga Puja festivities Prasad and Bhog will be given. Aarti will be conducted in the evening. A cultural program will be put together by resident talent as well as invited guests every evening from Panchami. Chow Dance by Purulia group, Goan Rockers Band, Dandiya dance, plays, fancy dress, solo and group performances will be the attractions of the cultural evenings.
Where: SDPS Trust, Kendriya Vihar-2, Sector-82, Noida
Website: SDPS Email: durgapujakv2@gmail.com
9. Axomiya Durga Puja in Noida
Assamese folks residing in Noida, Greater Noida and Ghaziabad for the first time ever have come together to celebrate Durga Puja – the Assamese way. Join them in celebrations of Durga Puja in traditional authentic North Eastern Way from September 26-30. The organizers Noida Axomiya Durgotsav Association (NADA) promise it to be all fun and entertaining. Durga Puja, confluence of North Eastern people and cultural evenings are the highlights of this festive celebration.
Be there for a scintillating cultural evening on the Eve of Saptami Puja on September 27. Kalpana Patowary will be performing LIVE her famous numbers from Assam as well as Bollywood. She is famous for her numbers like Gandi baat from Bollywood and also for her Coke Studio performances.
Where: NADA, Community Center, Opp Eldeco Amantran, Sector 119, Noida
Noida Axomiya Durgotsav Association (NADA) on Facebook
10. Durga Puja Celerbration at Hyde Park Society
Durga Puja Celerbration in consecutive year at Hyde Park Society in sector 78 has created a lot of enthusiasm amongst the residents. This year Durga Puja will have, besides the daily Aarti, Dhanunchi and Sindur Khela, stalls for shopping some attractive merchandise, Food Corner and lot of cultural activities such as DJ Dandia Nights, Rock Band show, Fashion Show by kids dressed in attire straight out of the Hindu Epics and singing by contestants of Sa Re Ga Ma Pa musical show and many more attractions from September 26 -30.
Where: Central Park, Hyde Park Society, Sector 78, Noida
DATES FOR DURGA PUJA IN NOIDA:
| Mahalaya | September 19, 2017 |
| Panchmi | September 25, 2017 |
| Shashthi | September 26, 2017 |
| Saptami | September 27, 2017 |
| Mahaa-Ashtami | September 28, 2017 |
| Mahaa-Nabami | September 29, 2017 |
| Dashami | September 30, 2017 |
DId You Know?
- Shree Shree Durga Puja was celebrated for the first time in Noida under the banner of ‘Noida Durga Puja Samiti’, in Oct 1983 at Noida Club, Sector 27.
- You can visit other sectors’ Puja Pandals in Noida which traditionally host Durga Puja in their premises. Some of these could be located at Sector 61, Kedriya Vihar in Sector 50 and also at Community Center of Sector 33.
- Gaur City in Noida Extention will be celebrating their second Durga Puja with much fanfare.
- Durga Puja 2017 will begin on Tuesday, September 26 and ends on Saturday, September 30
Hope you find this guide helpful for you to go Durga Puja Pandal Hopping in Noida. 🙂
Let us know which Pandal you have liked the best. Also let us know if we have missed out on any significant Puja Pandal in Noida.
Image Source: Wikipedia, Facebook Pages of Puja Samiti
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That’s lovely and detailed. Would love a post on great drives around noida. Read one on reddit about Mumbai and how almost of the once great drives have been destroyed due to over-development.