Beginning October 16, the city comes alive with rituals, music, food, festive cheer and performances rooted in Karnataka’s folk culture. There is magic in the air as Pujo season begins: the beats of the dhaak , the waft of incense, the aroma of bhog and cotton-white clouds in the sky. This year, Maa Durga arrives in strikingly different avatars across Bengaluru — from an Egyptian-inspired pandal to a Hampi-themed mandap and idols rooted in traditional Bengali artistry. Here are eight celebrations to add to your weekend plans.
Where: EBISU Convention Center, Hegde Nagar Main Road, Chokkanahalli, Jakkur When: Opens October 16 Theme: In its 14th year, Oikotan links Egyptian history with the symbolism of the Divine Mother through Mishor Mohamaya (Egyptian mystery). Don’t miss: Folk band Dohar (Saptami), Oxygen (Sunday), Rahul Dutta (Ashtami) and Lopamudra Mitra (Navami finale) Bhog over four days Quizzes, Antakshari and children’s drawing competitions Where: Gate 6, Palace Grounds, The Grand Castle, Jayamahal When: Opens October 16 Theme: A Hampi-inspired temple backdrop and elaborate lighting frame the traditional Durga idol, recreating Karnataka’s temple architecture. Don’t miss: Daily performances by Sundarbans Baul artists, Chau dancers, Kannadiga performers and five female dhakis A food court and a flea market, each with 30–40 stalls Where: Sadumatadha Sadara Vidyabhivrudhi Sangha, When: Opens October 16 Theme: Marking its 49th year, the Samiti’s theme is Shotodol , a hundred-petal lotus symbolising purity, harmony and spiritual awakening. Started in 1977, the Puja has kept its close-knit, family-oriented character even as the city’s celebrations have grown, says organising committee member Smita Lahiri. Don’t miss: Opening programme Padmapurna Agomoni , followed by Ananda Mela Free bhog Dance, music, dance drama, a Yakshagana performance and a band from Kolkata Children’s competitions and a photography contest Where: South Avenue Grounds, 1/7, NICE Toll Gate, Behind Electronic City Metro Station When: Opens October 16 Theme: Anchal celebrates a mother’s shelter and protection. Don’t miss: 30+ food stalls and 25 flea, lifestyle and brand stalls Evening performances Dhunuchi Naach and its competition Sindur Khela, puja rituals and morning programmes Where: Sobha Lakeview Clubhouse, Bellandur When: Opens October 16 Theme: For its 10th year, Anandotsab – Bellandur Durga Puja presents Mrinmayi Abhaya – Worshipping the Earthly Divine. Don’t miss: Indian Idol Season 15 finalist Mayuri Saha, Jimut Roy and Dhunuchi Naach on October 18 Catch vocalist Shringar and his troupe on October 19 Sindur Khela perform on October 21 Children’s competitions and the association’s Bengali theme song, Mrinmayi Abhaya Where: KTPO Ground, Whitefield When: Opens October 16 Theme: In its 23rd year, the association is sticking to a traditional Bengali Puja, with the emphasis on customs and participation rather than a themed pandal. It expects around 2.5 lakh visitors over five days, with 34 food stalls and about 30 commercial stalls. Don’t miss: DJ night and Dandiya on October 16 Performances by Albert Kabo, Ashwita Core and In Sync, Oxygen on the Rocks and singer Poushali Free bhog on Saptami, Ashtami and Navami Dhunuchi Naach and Sindur Khela (October 21), with priority for elderly and pregnant visitors Performances by children and adults Where: Near Queens Gate, House of Hiranandani, Akshayanagar, Begur When: Opens October 16 Theme: Now in its fourth year, this community-led Puja features a traditional sabeki Durga idol inspired by Kolkata’s Bagbazar Sarbojanin style, dressed in attire sourced from Krishnanagar, West Bengal. Don’t miss: A choreographed Dhunuchi Naach by about 40 residents, followed by an open-floor session Samarth Desai (October 19) and rock band Corals (final evening) Food and flea-market stalls Bhog on three days: khichuri on Saptami and Ashtami, pulao and paneer on Navami Where: Ladies Club premises, Jayamahal Extension When: Opens October 16 Theme: In its 72nd year, the association celebrates Sabekiyana, a traditional Bengali style inspired by village festivities.
Don’t miss: Dollu Kunitha artists from Pandavapura, near Mandya A fashion show, a Dhunuchi Naach competition and the Anando Mela Bengaluru-based Bengali band Achin Pakhi Morning puja and Pushpanjali, followed by daily 1pm bhog with a different menu each day You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Bengaluru | Silver Rate in Bengaluru | Bank Holidays in Bengaluru | Public Holidays in Bengaluru | Bengaluru AQI | Weather in Bengaluru | Petrol Price in Bengaluru | Diesel Price in Bengaluru | CNG Price in Bengaluru | LPG Price in Bengaluru Stay updated with the latest Bengaluru news.
“We are celebrating this universal connection where two great cultures separated by time and geography are finally uniting under the reverence of Mother Goddess,” says association member Subhradeep Bhowmik. “We want to showcase the confluence of Bengal and Kannadiga culture,” says convenor Achinta Lal Ray. “It speaks about the universal feeling of protection, belonging and home,” says joint secretary Priyanka Sinha Roy. “We wish to spread a message of collective healing amid global conflict and chaos,” says secretary Tathagata Sengupta. That community feeling is what you will get if you come to this Puja,” says association member Avik Das. It should not lose its flavour,” says association president Dr Indranil Sinha. That’s how we have depicted our Maa Durga this time,” says association member Dr Sharmistha Dutta.
Egyptian-inspired décor will draw parallels between the civilisation’s reverence for the feminine divine and Durga’s associations with strength, motherhood and the triumph of good over evil. She adds, “The lotus, a symbol of purity, harmony and spiritual awakening, also represents the coming together of people across generations. Flowing drapes, handmade mother-and-child motifs, chandeliers and portraits shape a palace-like pandal centred on a Durga idol conceptualised in Kumartuli, Kolkata, and prepared over a month. The theme also reflects the bond between Bengal, many visitors’ ancestral home, and Bengaluru, their present one. Instead of slaying Mahishasura, the idol shows him surrendering at her feet as the goddess forgives him, a message of inner transformation, peace and harmony. The pandal is decorated with sustainable materials such as bamboo and earthen cups and plates. “The uniqueness is that old flavour of doing Durga Pujo where everybody is welcomed. A handcrafted backdrop and jute-thread decorations complete the pandal. “For us, the pujo is the first thing. There might be cultural programmes and a flea market, but the pujo should look like a pujo. The Durga idol will have an earthy clay finish, a simple Bengali sari, gold jewellery and a crown. Bengaluru-based artist Sumir Pal is creating paintings inspired by Sabekiyana and Kalighat pattachitra. “Our Maa Durga is going to be very simple, the way people celebrate in villages. Download the TOI App.