An eco-friendly Durga Puja pandal near Belgachia Metro station in Kolkata is drawing visitors with its use of natural materials, traditional craft and work by around 30 rural artists from Contai in East Midnapore district.
Organised by the Belgachia Central Public Durgotsav Committee, the puja has entered its 99th year. The committee’s theme this year is “Sabekiyanar Chhoay, Shatabarshar Dorgoray”, which refers to approaching the centenary with a touch of traditional art.
The pandal uses jute rope, cotton rope, mats, earthen pots and clay lamps in its decoration. Its interior artwork is inspired by traditional wall paintings found in rural homes in Gujarat’s Kutch district. The organisers have used the design to bring together elements of Bengal’s cultural traditions and Gujarat’s rural artistic heritage.
Committee treasurer Rajendra Agrawal said the organisers have consistently prioritised Bengal’s traditional art and culture. This year’s installation, he said, also seeks to convey a message about environmental protection and the responsible use of natural resources.
The Durga idol has been made from traditional clay and given a conventional form. It was created by young sculptor Niranjan Karan, a resident of the Contai area of East Midnapore district. Work on the idol began in April during the Rath Yatra period.
The painting and artistic decoration of the pandal were carried out under the guidance of Naresh Haldar, a former student of the Government College of Art. Around 30 rural artists from the Contai region of Midnapore worked for nearly three months to complete the installation.
The organisers’ choice of materials places the pandal within a wider conversation about how temporary public structures can use locally available and biodegradable inputs. The source report does not provide details about the pandal’s waste-management arrangements, material quantities or post-festival disposal process, so the full environmental impact of the installation cannot be assessed from the available information.
The venue is located close to Belgachia Metro station, placing it within a transit-linked area that is experiencing heavy visitor movement during the festival. The source report said devotees and spectators had been visiting different pandals from the afternoon, while younger visitors were also using the festival circuit for photography and social gatherings.
For the committee, the event marks both a continuation of a long-running community tradition and a step towards its centenary year. Its final presentation combines a clay idol, rural craftsmanship, traditional cultural references and an environmental message for visitors during Kolkata’s Durga Puja celebrations.
