Durga Puja, a festival that celebrates the triumph of Goddess Durga over the buffalo demon Mahishasura, is in full swing as festivities kick off today, October 8. A video shared by user Abir Ghoshal on X (formerly Twitter) showcases a metro-themed puja pandal in Kolkata, leaving viewers astounded. The video opens with the pandal’s entrance, designed to resemble a real metro station, complete with seats, handrails, and grab handles. It features screens displaying announcements typical of a metro environment, along with a platform and escalators that make it hard to distinguish from an actual metro station.
West Bengal is alive with colorful pandals and mouth-watering food stalls, and this pandal’s entrance has captured the imagination of social media users.
Believe me its a Puja Pandal in Kolkata. @metrorailwaykol pic.twitter.com/yJgcOLL5fr
— Abir Ghoshal (@abirghoshal) October 7, 2024
Set up at Jagat Mukherjee Park, this innovative pandal has been meticulously crafted to provide visitors with an authentic experience akin to being inside a Green Line metro coach. “It took months of research and multiple trips in the metro for us to engineer this authentic feel,” said Dwaipayan Roy, one of the chief organizers.
Artist Subal Pal explained that their team even consulted with Metro Rail authorities to refine their concept, resulting in an impressive homage to Kolkata’s metro system. The pandal includes a motor that simulates the sensation of a moving train, allowing visitors to feel the train slow down as they approach the exit gate. “Engineers and artists came together to accomplish the final product,” Pal added.
The video, shared on October 7, has already garnered over 850,000 views and continues to attract attention. Reactions poured in, with many praising the creativity while others expressed concerns about potential overcrowding.
Commenters on social media were quick to share their thoughts on the pandal. “It’s truly iconic,” remarked one user, while another exclaimed, “Wow! That is so amazing.”
Yet, some users raised safety concerns, suggesting that the narrow design might lead to claustrophobic conditions in crowded situations. One user noted, “This is so narrow, could be claustrophobic if a lot of crowd comes. Hope there’s no stampede,” while another echoed similar sentiments.
A visitor who had previously attended Durga Puja in Kolkata expressed, “Trust me, it was an unbelievable experience. Their creative side is unreal. Anyone seeking creativity should spend at least once in their lifetime in Kolkata during Durga Puja.”
As the festivities continue, this metro-themed pandal serves as a reminder of the artistic flair and community spirit that define Durga Puja celebrations in Kolkata.
