
Chetla Agrani Club Durgotsav
Brief History of Chetla Agrani Club Durgotsav:
- Establishment & Age: Chetla Agrani Club Durga Puja started in 1959. In 2025, it marks its 66th year of celebration.
- Location: 4, Peary Mohan Roy Road, Chetla, Kolkata- 700 027, South Kolkata.
Themes:
- 2025 Theme: “Bahumukhi Se Ek Mukhi – Amrit Kumbher Sandhane” (From many faces to one, in search of the urn of nectar) – The pandal features more than three crore rudraksh beads, which are significant in Hinduism and believed to come from the eyes of Shiva (“Rudra” means Shiva, and “aksh” means eyes). The theme’s name suggests a journey from multiple parts (“many faces”) to a unified whole (“one face”), symbolized by the search for the divine “urn of nectar” (Amrit Kumbh).
- 2024 Theme: “Ganga Pollution Awareness – The theme focused on the critical issue of pollution in the River Ganges, creatively used real garbage collected from the river as part of the pandal décor to raise environmental awareness. It depicted the contrast between the river’s spiritual significance and the harsh reality of pollution.”
- Previous Themes:
- Celebrated Bengal’s traditional and folk culture with vibrant, immersive visual storytelling.
- Used artistic innovation to blend social messaging with spirituality.
- Festivities: The puja includes grand pandal decoration, rituals, performances of classical music, dance, and a variety of community activities.
USP:
- Social and Environmental Awareness: Pioneering the use of puja pandals to highlight urgent contemporary issues like river pollution through immersive art.
- Artistic Innovation: Known for combining traditional rituals with modern thematic storytelling and elaborate pandal artistry, creating captivating experiences for visitors.
- Community Engagement: Regularly hosts cultural programs, including plays and music, engaging families and devotees in multiple festive activities.
- Well-Organized Festival: Maintains high standards in crowd management and community participation, making it a favorite for local and visiting devotees alike.
Additional Notes:
- Cultural Significance: Deeply rooted in Chetla’s local community with a focus on spiritual devotion and cultural heritage.
- Recognition: Continues to be recognized as one of the prominent South Kolkata pujas, frequently covered by local media.
In summary:
Chetla Agrani Club Durgotsav, established in 1959 and celebrating 66 years in 2025, is noted for blending tradition with modern social messages, such as the impactful 2024 theme on Ganga pollution. Its artistic innovation, community involvement, and cultural programming have made it a major highlight of South Kolkata’s Durga Puja celebrations.
