For Bengalis around the world, this is the best time of the year. The anticipation of the start of Durga Pujo season makes them all cheery and enthusiastic. If you are not going back home for Pujo this year, do not feel bad. Chennai does have its fair share of Pujos. It is being celebrated from October 15 ,2018 to October 19, 2018 at most places. Read out this list before you plan out pandal hopping.
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SMCA Durga Puja, Besant Nagar
Located near the Besant Nagar bus terminus at TNHB community hall, South Madras Cultural Association organizes the most popular Durga Puja in Chennai. Starting from Anand Mela on Monday, where home-cooked food is available on sale for patrons to daily pushpanjoli, bhog and Sandhya arati; you can see it all. The cultural programmes start from 7 pm daily. There will be a gamut of theatre, music and dance to enjoy the evening. There are a range of food stalls in the premise serving everything from kebabs, rolls, momos to Kolkata biryani, Mughlai porotta and kosha mangsho and mishti.
Click here for SMCA Pandal location on Map
The Bengal Association Puja, T Nagar
This is the oldest Durga Puja in Chennai, held at the premises of the association on Giri Road in T Nagar and this year it will celebrate the 85th Sharadotsav. They will also be hosting the Ananda Mela. The Association is known for hosting amazing plays and music performances in the evening. The festivity will start right from Bodhon, when the idols are brought in and unveiled. Bengalis from across the city will walk into the premises for pushpanjali in the morning and savour bhog in the afternoon. In the evening, gorge on Bengali delicacies ranging from rolls, luchi aloo dom, cutlets and mishti.
Dakshini Society, Anna Nagar
Dakshini Society was set up in 1995 and they have been a fairly popular Durga Puja in that part of Chennai. They are well-known for their Dhamakedaar DJ night on Nabami evenings. Most of their cooks and dhakis are brought down from Kolkata and the place also has a range of food stalls serving authentic Bengali snacks and sweets.
Ramakrishna Mission Puja, Mylapore
If you hate going into crowded places and just want some tranquil and peace as you pray quietly to Maa Durga, then just head to RK Mutt Road in Mylapore that has the beautiful Ramakrishna Mission. It is a spacious and green complex and as you step into the premise, you might not see the crowd, euphoria and noise associated with Durga Puja elsewhere but once you enter the main sanctum, the experience is ethereal. Just sit quietly in front of the Durga idol and you can quietly chant her name or meditate. After hopping from one crowded pandal to another, this one is a welcome change.
DCPCA - Dakshin Chennai Prabasi Cultural Association,Kelambakkam, OMR
We know this one is slightly off the radar but it is one the youngest Durga Puja in the city. They do shift their venue depending on availability of space. This year is being held at Umadri Mahal, TNHB, Sholingnallur on OMR. With IT professionals and techies from OMR at the forefront, this Puja has a very contemporary feel. Many cultural programmes are put up by association members and are immensely entertaining and culturally rich. They also offer a great range of food choices.
Check out this link for exact locations of the Puja Pandals: Map of Durga Puja Pandals in Chennai
For those who are new to Durga Puja Pandals : What to expect when you go to Puja Pandal in Chennai
