Guwahati is all set to immerse itself in the grandeur of Durga Puja this year. The city is abuzz with excitement as preparations for the much-awaited festival are in full swing.
Pandals are springing up across the city, each showcasing intricate designs and themes that organisers believe will leave spectators awestruck.
The festival will be celebrated with traditional fervour from October 9 to October 12. Devotees can expect a visual feast of beautifully decorated pandals, vibrant cultural programmes, and the soulful rendition of Durga Puja songs.
1. 65-Ft Krishna Statue
The Sarbojanin Shree Shree Durga Puja Committee in Pandu New Colony is gearing up for a grand celebration this year, with a 65-foot statue of Lord Krishna as the centerpiece.
The committee, celebrating its 78th year, aims to create the tallest statue in the Northeast. The idol is being sculpted by artisans from Maligaon using environment-friendly materials.
Talking to GPlus, a Sarbojanin Shree Shree Durga Puja Committee member said, “We wanted to create something remarkable this year, and this statue of Lord Krishna, inspired by his 10 avatars, is our way of celebrating our culture and faith.”
The budget for this pandal is ₹15 lakh
2. Jagannath Theme
The Bhaskarnagar Sarbajanin Durga Puja Committee is preparing to celebrate its 55th Durga Puja with a unique theme—a pandal designed as a replica of the Jagannath Rath (Holy Chariot).
The festivities will take place from October 8 to 12 at the Bhaskarnagar Unnayan Samiti Field in Guwahati, and are expected to draw large crowds of devotees and visitors.
Talking to GPlus, a member of the Bhaskarnagar Sarbajanin Durga Puja Committee said, "This year, our pandal will be modeled after the Jagannath Rath, and we hope it will attract as many visitors as last year when we won the trophy for the Best Lighting in a Puja Pandal."
3. Harry Potter Theme
Natunbasti Sarbajanin Durga Puja Committee in Aryanagar is celebrating its 50th anniversary with a unique Harry Potter-themed pandal.
Talking to GPlus, a member from Natunbasti Sarbajanin Durga Puja Committee in Aryanagar said, "Since this is our golden jubilee of celebrating Durga Puja, we are excited and we are going to showcase a mysterious set adaptation of the first of J.K. Rowling's popular children's novels about Harry Potter,” the member said.
The budget allocated for this year’s pandal is ₹25 lakh.
4. Mahabharat’s Indraprastha To Life Theme
The Athgaon Sarvajanik Durga Puja Samity is set to captivate devotees and visitors alike with a spectacular recreation of Indraprastha, the legendary capital of the Pandavas from the Mahabharat.
The budget allocated for this year’s pandal is ₹30 lakh.
5. Rajasthan Purana Haveli Theme
Bishnupur Sarbajanin Durga Puja Committee is celebrating its 74th anniversary with a Rajasthan Purana Haveli-themed pandal this Durga puja. This year's theme is inspired by the architectural grandeur of historic Rajasthani mansions.
Talking to GPlus, a committee member said, "We're just one year away from our Platinum Jubilee, so we wanted to do something special. The idea of showcasing a Rajasthan Purana Haveli came from our desire to bring something different and engaging to the community."
The budget allocated for this year’s pandal is ₹50 lakh.
6. Hotel Grand Lisboa Theme
Pandu New Colony is gearing up for a grand celebration of its 72nd year of Durga Puja with a themed pandal inspired by the Grand Lisboa Hotel, organised by the Azad Hind Club.
Talking to GPlus, a club member shared, the pandal will be constructed using acrylic glass both inside and outside. We selected the Grand Lisboa theme because it represents one of the finest luxury hotels."
The pandal will reach a height of 70 feet.
The Grand Lisboa Hotel is the tallest building in Macau city of China and is the most distinctive part of its skyline. The budget allocated for this year’s pandal is ₹30 lakh, with ₹17 lakh dedicated solely to the pandal.
7. Bamboo Theme
The Rehabari Bilpar Durga Puja Committee is set to celebrate Durga Puja with an eco-friendly pandal this year. The pandal will be crafted entirely out of bamboo.
Talking to Gplus, the committee member said that the pandal will be inaugurated by former Governor of Assam, Gulab Chand Kataria, and his family.The Maa Durga idol will be a Dhakeshwari Durga Idol, beautifully adorned with shola craft fabric.
The budget for the pandal has been set at ₹25 lakh.
8. Fisherman’s tales
The Subhasnagar Durga Puja Committee in Pandu is celebrating 50 years of Durga Puja with a unique theme this year. Titled “Ganga Nadir Paror Rupkotha” or “Tales from the Banks of the Ganges,” the pandal will showcase the lives of fishermen.
Talking to GPlus, a committee member shared, "The pandal will be built using eco-friendly materials like clay and bamboo." The design will feature traditional boats and portray scenes from the everyday lives of local fishermen.
The committee has set aside ₹8 lakh for the pandal’s construction.
9. Maa Kamakhya Temple Theme
The Yuvatirtha Club Sharbojanin Durga Puja Committee in Panbazar is set to celebrate its 89th year of Durga Puja with a unique theme: A replica of the Maa Kamakhya Temple.
This iconic temple, a symbol of pride for Assam, will be recreated in detail, including its three gates and the accompanying Vishwakarma and Ganesh Temples.
Talking to GPlus , a committee member shared ,"We wanted to highlight the Maa Kamakhya Temple this year as it's a significant landmark for us and attracts many people."
The budget for the pandal has been set at ₹15 lakh.
10. ICC T20 World Cup Theme
The Kalibari Colony Durga Puja Committee in Guwahati is preparing for a unique celebration this year. Their Durga Puja pandal will be designed around the theme of the ICC T20 World Cup Trophy.
Talking to GPlus, a member from the Durga puja committee said, "Several years ago, India won the World Cup, and we hoped that if India won again in 2024, we would create something special for Durga Puja to celebrate this achievement."
The budget of the pandal has been set at ₹6,50,000.
11. Eco-friendly Pandal Theme
Tokobari Barowari Durga Puja To Celebrate 82nd Year With Eco-Friendly Pandal
The Tokobari Barowari Durga Puja Committee is all set to mark its 82nd year of celebrations with grandeur and tradition.
This year, the pandal will be crafted mainly from jute leaves, bamboo, and puddy, promising an eco-friendly aesthetic, reflecting both creativity and sustainability.
The lighting arrangements have been brought in from Chandan Nagar, Kolkata, known for its artistic illuminations.
With a budget of ₹12 lakh, the committee will be organising a cultural events, including singing and dancing performances.
The pandal will officially open to the public on October 8, 2024.
12. Akal Bodhon Temple Theme
The Sarbajanin Durga Puja Committee of Pandu 3No Rly Colony, Guwahati, is set to celebrate its 49th year of Durga Puja with grand festivities and a unique pandal design.
This year’s theme draws inspiration from a renowned temple in West Bengal, 'Akal Bodhon' promising an eye-catching display for devotees and visitors.
Skilled artisans from Kolkata are crafting the idols, while traditional dhakis from Alipurduar, West Bengal, will provide the rhythmic beats of the festival.
With a total budget of ₹8 lakh, including ₹2 lakh allocated for the pandal, the committee has ensured an impressive celebration.
The pandal will open on October 8, coinciding with Panchami. As part of their community efforts, the committee will distribute clothes to underprivileged women in the area as a gesture of respect and reverence to Goddess Durga.
13. Journey Of Indian Coins Theme
The Barsapara Sarbojonin Durga Puja Committee is set to celebrate its 41st year with a fascinating theme, A Century of Coin Journey.
This year’s pandal will feature replicas of coins from as early as the 1920s, including the iconic British India Rupee, along with Indian coins minted after independence. The intricate coin replicas, made from cardboard and thermocol, will take visitors on a visual journey through India's numismatic history.
With a budget of ₹4.6 lakh, the pandal will open to the public on October 8. The festivities will include a special cultural night on Nabami.
14. Save Kaziranga, Save Rhino Theme
The Brihattar Odalbakra Sarbajanin Puja Mandir Committee is gearing up for its 54th Durga Puja celebration with a powerful message: Save Kaziranga, Save Rhino. This year’s pandal will highlight the importance of wildlife conservation, with the endangered one-horned rhino at the heart of the theme.
With a budget of ₹35 lakh, the pandal will be open to visitors from October 9. Local artisans are heavily involved in the construction, incorporating traditional craftsmanship to promote local art forms that are fading with time.
The committee’s efforts were well-recognized last year, having won five awards, including the third-best pandal in Assam.
15. Maha Mrityunjay Temple-Themed
The Tokobari Milan Samittee near AT Road in Guwahati is set to mark its 46th year by recreating the iconic Maha Mrityunjay Mandir of Nagaon as the centerpiece of their pandal.
With a budget of ₹8 lakh, including ₹4 lakh dedicated to the pandal construction, the committee is committed to making this year’s Puja an unforgettable celebration.
The pandal will be open to visitors from October 9.
Known for their devotion and creative themes, Tokobari Milan Samittee’s Durga Puja is a highly anticipated event in the local calendar, continuing to draw crowds and unite the community year after year.
16. Jaapi Theme Pandal
Jaapi themed Durga Puja Pandal set by Nayantara Club, Kumarpara in Guwahati.
During Durga Puja, the Nayantara Club in Kumarpara transformed its pandal into a vibrant celebration of Assam’s cultural heritage, centering around the traditional Jaapi, a conical hat symbolic of the region.
17. Protect Earth From Global Warming Theme Pandal
Santipur Puja Pandal is taking a stand against global warming by spreading a powerful message to protect the Earth.
Talking to Gplus, a committee member said, this year, we aim to raise awareness about climate change and inspire our community to take action.
Through this puja, we are reminded of our responsibility to safeguard our planet for future generations.
Join us in our efforts to make a difference and create a sustainable future.
'Jaapi' themed Durga Puja Pandal by Nayantara Club, Kumarpara in Guwahati.