Durga idol admired

From humble community beginnings in 1970, Durga Puja celebrations have grown into an elaborate affair for Delhi's Bengalis who spare no effort in celebrating their biggest festival with flair in CR Park.

Durga Puja is the biggest annual Hindu festival celebrated by Bengalis, originating from the Indian state of West Bengal. In Delhi, a neighborhood called Chittaranjan Park or CR Park is home to a large Bengali migrant community, who celebrate Durga Puja on a grand scale here every year.

The festival marks the victory of goddess Durga over the evil buffalo demon Mahishasura after a 9 day battle, symbolizing the triumph of good over evil.

Huge temporary structures called pandals are set up with large clay idols of goddess Durga. Each day has special rituals and the last day culminates in immersing the idols in water.

The celebrations in CR Park bring the look and feel of Durga Puja in Kolkata to Delhi - from themed decorative pandals, cultural events like music and dance performances, crowds thronging for pandal hopping, to lip-smacking Bengali food stalls.