Vatican to Burj Khalifa: Quirky Durga Puja pandals

As the 10-day long festival to celebrate "feminine 'shakti' kick started on October 1, we take a look at some of the quirkiest, unique and creative pandals set up across West Bengal; and other parts of the country.

Durga Puja celebrations kicked off over a month in advance this year to celebrate the festival earning a UNESCO tag of untangible heritage. In this photo, devotees gather near an idol of Hindu goddess Durga made of alloy consisting of eight different metals as it is being placed inside a pandal. Credit: AFP Photo

UNESCO added the mega-festival on its ‘Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity’ in December last year. This photo shows an idol of Goddess Durga, in Assam's Dhubri, made with single-use plastic spoons in order to raise awareness on plastic ban. Credit: PTI Photo

The 10-day festival represents the

After two years of restricted movement owing to the Covid-19 pandemic, revellers on Saturday took to pandal hopping in Kolkata with vigour on Sasthi, the first day of the Durga Puja festival. In this photo, an artist makes 'Patachitra or Pattachitra', traditional cloth-based scroll painting, at a community puja pandal. Credit: PTI Photo

The Vatican with its imposing St. Peter’s Basilica and artistic treasures of medieval Europe came to Kolkata, as a city-based club created a replica of the famous church complete with statues and frescos to house its Durga idol this year. Credit: Twitter/@derekobrienmp

The Kolkata Police has made extensive bandobast to ensure peaceful celebration of the festival, apart from the herculean task of keeping roads free of congestion. A replica of Burj Khalifa at a Durga Puja pandal is seen in Agartala. Credit: PTI Photo

Long queues of pandal hoppers, from children to the aged, in new clothes, were seen at the more popular Durga Puja marquees across the city. This photo shows a replica of the Red Fort built as part of Durga Puja celebrations, in Kolkata. Credit: PTI Photo

This year, reportedly, an international team would be visiting the state to witness the preparation and the celebrations. Of the 40,092 puja venues, 2,141 are said to be organised by women. Artists are seen creating a community Durga Puja pandal using 'Dhunachi', a Bengali incense burner. Credit: PTI Photo