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As mentioned in my earlier post publishing some photos my room mate Partho clicked in Kolkata during Durga Pooja (Pujo in Bengali) celebrations there. I've tried my best to give some additional description as well, wherever possible.
Just the way we have Lord Ganesha's idol set up in every other street, Bengalis will have Durga Mata's idol set up all over. Each colony would showcase its creativity by building huge mantaps (Mandaps), either replicating designs of world famous monuments or bringing to life some innovative and creative ideas. Below is a collage of various Durga mata idols clicked in various mantaps. Click to enlarge.
Below are 3 such mantaps, built using plaster of paris and other temporary construction materials. Each one is erected at an expense of several lakhs to even few crores, beating any film set that are set up in movie studios. I do not recognize the first and 3rd one, but the middle one is a replica of a temple in Katmandu, Nepal.
This one is a rather simple one, but a floating one built on a boat
Mantap on the left is made entirely from net. There was another one made entirely from Bamboo strips.
Decorations on the street also deserves a mention.
Left one is made from Bamboo... Right one is made from clay...
Wait, I'm kidding. 
Right one is a real human being, standing still as a statue. His leg is covered with paper to protect identity. You need to have a closer look at his eyes to believe that he is real. It takes a lot to stay still and not get distracted by various things happening around us. Not sure for how long he managed to stay like that undetected, but those who can do so for a few hours at least are in great demand by the entertainment industry.
Awards: Several companies and TV channels give away awards to best Mantap, with prizes going upto few lakhs. Organizers of each Mantap proudly display various awards they won during the festive season. Certainly a good recognition for their creativity and hard work. Click to have a closer look.
Only thing I found missing in all these was security. May be policemen were in plain cloths. Photos and inputs from Partho, collage work and narration by Shrinidhi Related: Ganesha festival aftermath *
This one is a rather simple one, but a floating one built on a boat
Mantap on the left is made entirely from net. There was another one made entirely from Bamboo strips.
Right one is a real human being, standing still as a statue. His leg is covered with paper to protect identity. You need to have a closer look at his eyes to believe that he is real. It takes a lot to stay still and not get distracted by various things happening around us. Not sure for how long he managed to stay like that undetected, but those who can do so for a few hours at least are in great demand by the entertainment industry.
Awards: Several companies and TV channels give away awards to best Mantap, with prizes going upto few lakhs. Organizers of each Mantap proudly display various awards they won during the festive season. Certainly a good recognition for their creativity and hard work. Click to have a closer look.Only thing I found missing in all these was security. May be policemen were in plain cloths. Photos and inputs from Partho, collage work and narration by Shrinidhi Related: Ganesha festival aftermath *
Kolkata Dusshera looks so elaborate through your room mates pictures! I have not seen anything on this scale in the north!
ReplyDeletemridula,
ReplyDeleteThanks. Next time why not tour Kolkata during the festive season?
In my city also people are using LED lights for decoration in pandals, The images you posted of Lights are really nice, energy saving too.
ReplyDeletehave a nice day!
Android Spirit
Nice description mate. You could also upload the rest pics in there for the other mandaps.
ReplyDeleteDurga pujo in kolkata is really a great sight seeing, With the best creativity and out of the box thinking we can see in the Pujo setups. The night lightings are awesome but to see those the crowd is too much. So I had covered max in the morning hours.
Regds,
Partho
Shekhar,
ReplyDeleteThanks. What is Android spirit?
Partho,
have included most of the good photos. Too many photos will make the post really long. We'll upload rest of the photos into flickr or picasa and share with others
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ReplyDeleteI am happy to see people adapting to energy saving LED lights! Wish to see Mysore palace with all CFL lights sometime soon instead of those incandescent tungsten bulbs.
ReplyDeleteNice pics. Thanks to partho for sharing and Shrinidhi for posting :)
Mohan,
ReplyDeleteLet us hope that happens by next Dasara. Unfortunately CFL is not available in micro sizes. The big ones may not be suitable for decorating an entire palace.
Beautiful photos ! I wish i were there !
ReplyDeleteThanks. Plan and visit Kolkata next season...
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