The Ultimate Guide to C.R.Park Durga Puja

Planning to celebrate Durga Puja in C.R. Park? Don’t worry—this guide has everything you need to know, from the best way to get there to the must-visit pandals and food stalls.

Chittaranjan Park (C.R. Park), the mini Bengal of Delhi, is one of the best places to experience Durga Puja in the city. The grandeur is unmatched, but it can be overwhelming, especially for first-time visitors. With over 10 pandals spread across the neighborhood, finding your way can be tricky and tiring.

So, here’s a complete guide to C.R. Park’s grand Durga Puja celebrations, curated by a local (that’s me!) to help you enjoy a hassle-free experience.

What should you expect during Durga Puja celebrations?

It’s a question I get asked every year before Durga Puja. To simplify, Durga Puja is a six-day extravaganza filled with pandal hopping (marquee visits), indulging in delicious food, immersing yourself in spirituality, and enjoying quality time with family and friends. That’s why we Bengalis love Durga Puja!

Best Way to Reach C.R. Park

Delhi is a cosmopolitan city, home to people from all over India, making it a vibrant hub of celebrations. From Navratri and Dandiya nights to Durga Puja, the city can experience significant traffic jams. To avoid the exhaustion of traffic delays, the best option is to travel by Delhi Metro. Take the Magenta Line and get down at Greater Kailash II station. From there, follow the map; the first pandal is just a 10-minute walk from the station.

C.R Park Pandals To Visit

You can simply follow this map to explore all puja pandals in C.R Park. I always take my friends on a tour following this route and they love it! 

Durgotsab, Greater Kailash II

If you’re following my walking tour route, Durgostab Greater Kailash II Puja pandal is the first you’ll come across if you walk towards C.R.Park from Greater Kailash metro station (Gate 3). You can hear the sound of dhaki and the smell of dhunuch as you approach the neighborhood. The pandal is located right next to a Gurudwara and can be easily spotted from the road. 

Cooperative Durga Puja, K block

If you walk further towards C.R.Park’s Market No.1, you’ll reach Cooperative Durga Puja pandal located in K block. This Puja pandal has won many awards in the past for best pandal and deity in Delhi. The pandal has plenty of great eateries serving street food and delicacies that you can try. I always stop here for puchka and jhal muri. You can also watch cultural shows if you have some extra time.

Kali Bari Puja

Next, head to the iconic landmark of C.R. Park—Kali Bari. This is the main shrine, often filled with devotees. The pandal décor is traditional, and the deity is crafted in a classical style. It’s one of my favorite spots to watch the mesmerizing Sandhya Aarti. Around the park, you’ll find local eateries, brand stalls, and a fun children’s zone filled with rides that are sure to bring laughter and joy to the little ones.

 

Dakshin Palli Durga Puja, Pocket 52

Dakshin Palli Durga Puja is another award-winning pandal in C.R. Park, renowned for its artistic deities. They were the first in the area to adopt eco-friendly idol immersion, and I was fortunate to be part of that celebration. Although a bit tricky to find, just ask for directions to Chandralok Cinemas, and you’ll easily reach the spot! Be sure to stop by the nearby eatery for some freshly roasted kebabs—they’re absolutely delicious!

Did you know there’s a mini Kumartuli in Delhi, located inside Chandralok Cinemas? If you visit C.R. Park before Durga Puja, be sure to stop by and witness the artists skillfully bringing the idols to life. It’s a fascinating experience!

Mela Ground Durga Puja

Next to Market No. 2 is the largest and most crowded Durga Puja in C.R. Park—the Mela Ground Durga Puja. This massive area is always bustling with thousands of people, no matter the time. The décor is grand, and the deity is stunningly beautiful. You can also shop for exquisite handicrafts made by local artisans from West Bengal.

Be prepared to stand in a long queue to enter the premises. A little hack: grab a packet of jhal muri and enjoy it while you wait in the slow-moving line!

D Block and E Block Durga Puja

If you’re interested in exploring smaller-scale pujas, head to the D Block Durga Puja and E Block Durga Puja Grounds. We used to call them the ‘twin pujas’ because they’re located close to each other and both have a cozy ‘para pujo’ vibe (neighborhood puja). While not as grand, they still attract decent crowds during Ashtami and Navami. The moment you enter the pandals, you can feel the warmth and community spirit. Plus, the authentic Bengali décor will surely win your heart.

Navapalli Durga Puja, Pocket 40

Next, head to Navapalli Durga Puja, located near Market No. 1, is known for their artistic pandals and an incredible line-up of cultural shows. I especially love watching the Dhunuchi dance here, where both young and old dance passionately to the beats of the Dhaki (drums) while holding Dhunuchi (incense holders). The atmosphere is truly mesmerizing. Last year was even more memorable, with the pandal inspired by the movie Rocky and Rani.

B Block Durga Puja

Finally, wrap up your itinerary at the B Block Durga Puja, one of the oldest in C.R. Park. Known for their creative theme-based pandals, in 2023, they wowed everyone by designing their pandal to resemble the new Parliament building—pretty cool, right? This spot also boasts a variety of amazing eateries, and I highly recommend trying the famous Kolkata Biryani from the Kolkata Biryani House stall. It’s absolutely worth it!

Navigating within C.R Park

Walking is the best way to navigate C.R. Park during Durga Puja and avoid long traffic jams. However, if you get tired of walking from one pandal to another, don’t worry! E-rickshaws are readily available to save the day. Just let the driver know which pandal you want to visit, and they’ll drop you at the entrance or the nearest spot for just ₹10-20 per person.

Make sure to wear comfortable shoes, even if you’re wearing a saree, because trust me—there’s a lot of walking involved!

What and where to eat in C.R Park

C.R. Park is a foodie’s paradise with a plethora of options. Beyond the food stalls within the pandals, there are four markets in C.R. Park offering an array of amazing food. You’ll find a variety of Bengali, Mughlai, Chinese, and street food. However, if you’re sensitive to street food, I recommend avoiding the street stalls near the markets and instead exploring some excellent Bengali restaurants. Here’s a list of Bengali restaurants in C.R. Park that you should try.

Best time of the day to visit a Durga Puja pandal

• If you plan to attend the evening prayer (Sandhya Aarti), it’s best to arrive at the pandal before 6 PM. You can experience the evening Aarti at any pandal.

• For ‘Bhog’ (offering), aim to arrive between 1 to 2 PM. Be prepared to stand in a long queue for at least 30 minutes. Also, Ashtami bhogs are generally delayed since the bhog distribution depends on the puja timing, so come prepared.

• Cultural shows begin right after the evening Aarti, typically between 7:30 to 8 PM. These shows vary each day and can include folk music, classical dance, and live theatre.

• Anondo Mela (food festival) takes place on the 5th and 6th days of Durga Puja, starting between 4:30 to 5 PM. and continuing until 8 p.m.

• Visarjan, or the immersion ceremony, happens on the last day of the Puja, also known as Vijay Dashami. We also celebrate Dussehra on this day. To attend an eco-friendly Visarjan, head to Pocket 52, where the event begins between 4 to 5 PM.

Let me know if you have more question, I’ll be happy to help you have the best Durga Puja experience.  🙂

Happy Pandal Hopping and Wishing all a Happy Durga Puja!