Ma Durga, the central Dashabhuja idol of Jeliatola Naba Durga Puja, with the other goddesses behind her

Since 1932 · Girish Park, Kolkata

জেলিয়াটোলা নবদুর্গা পূজা সমিতি

Jeliatola Naba Durga Puja Samity

A unique presentation of the divine goddess: Ma Durga worshipped in nine forms, side by side, in one pandal.

Organised by Sandhani Athletic Club · Girish Park, Kolkata

The worship of Naba Durga

Nine forms of the Divine Mother, worshipped together

The worship of Naba Durga, the nine forms of the Divine Mother, holds a profound place in Hindu tradition. Durga is revered as the supreme embodiment of Shakti, the cosmic energy that sustains and protects the universe. Each of her nine manifestations carries its own spiritual lesson and cosmic power, from innocence and nourishment to courage, wisdom and ultimate liberation.

In 1932, in the lanes of Jeliatola in North Kolkata, Sri Hemchandra Bhattacharya began worshipping these nine forms in his family shrine after a vision of the goddess. Word spread through the neighbourhood, and in 1938 the puja opened its doors to everyone, and it has been a sarbojanin (community) puja ever since.

Read our history
  • 1932

    The first worshipNine small idols in the family shrine of Sri Hemchandra Bhattacharya.

  • 1938

    Open to allBecame a community puja with Sandhani Athletic Club of Jeliatola.

  • 9forms

    Nine goddessesEach a different colour, each slaying a different asura.

  • 3generations

    One family of priestsToday the puja is led by Sri Ankur Bhattacharya, Hemchandra's grandson.

Different forms of the divine goddess

The nine forms of Ma Durga

নবরূপে মা দুর্গা

At the centre stands Dashabhuja Durga, the ten-armed goddess, dressed as an ascetic. Around her stand eight fierce forms. Every goddess has her own complexion and her own weapons, and each one slays a different demon.

  • Devi Prachanda — black-complexioned, 16-armed, slaying Shumbha১

    দেবী প্রচণ্ডা

    Devi Prachanda

    • Black
    • 16 arms
    • Slays Shumbha
  • Devi Ugrachanda — red-complexioned, 18-armed, slaying Raktabija২

    দেবী উগ্রচণ্ডা

    Devi Ugrachanda

    • Red
    • 18 arms
    • Slays Raktabija
  • Devi Chandavati — smoke-grey-complexioned, 16-armed, slaying Dhumralochana৩

    দেবী চণ্ডবতী

    Devi Chandavati

    • Smoke-grey
    • 16 arms
    • Slays Dhumralochana
  • Devi Chandarupa — fair-complexioned, 16-armed, slaying Chanda৪

    দেবী চণ্ডরূপা

    Devi Chandarupa

    • Fair
    • 16 arms
    • Slays Chanda
  • Devi Chanda — blue-complexioned, 16-armed, slaying Kaitabha৫

    দেবী চণ্ডা

    Devi Chanda

    • Blue
    • 16 arms
    • Slays Kaitabha
  • Devi Chandogra — copper-complexioned, 16-armed, slaying Nishumbha৬

    দেবী চণ্ডোগ্রা

    Devi Chandogra

    • Copper
    • 16 arms
    • Slays Nishumbha
  • Devi Chandanayika — golden-complexioned, 16-armed, slaying Madhu৭

    দেবী চণ্ডনায়িকা

    Devi Chandanayika

    • Golden
    • 16 arms
    • Slays Madhu
  • Devi Chandika — silver-complexioned, 16-armed, slaying Munda৮

    দেবী চণ্ডিকা

    Devi Chandika

    • Silver
    • 16 arms
    • Slays Munda

Durga Puja 2026 · Our 89th year

Mark your calendar

Join us in Jeliatola from Maha Shashthi to Bijoya Dashami for the anjali, the sandhi puja, the dhunuchi naach, the bhog, and the sound of the dhak.

  1. মহালয়া
    Mahalaya
    October · Saturday
  2. মহাষষ্ঠী
    Maha Shashthi
    October · Friday
  3. মহাসপ্তমী
    Maha Saptami
    –
    October · Sat–Sun
  4. মহাষ্টমী
    Maha Ashtami
    October · Monday
  5. মহানবমী
    Maha Navami
    October · Tuesday
  6. বিজয়া দশমী
    Bijoya Dashami
    October · Wednesday

Gallery

Moments from recent years

The khuti puja, the bath at the ghat, aarti smoke and the dhak beat. Here is a glimpse of our puja.

The Naba Durga idols — Dashabhuja Durga at the centre with the eight forms around herDhunuchi aarti fills the pandal with fragrant smokeHoma — the sacred fireKola bou snan — the ritual bath at the Ganga ghatThe face of Ma DurgaKhuti puja — members raise the sacred bamboo pole that begins the seasonDevotees and families before the idols
Letter of good wishes from the office of the Governor of West Bengal, 30 September 1997
Good wishes from the Governor of West Bengal, 1997
Sandhani Athletic Club puja greeting card, 1998–99 — motto, slogan and pledge
Club greeting card, Puja 1998–99

From our archive

Sandhani Athletic Club

For nearly nine decades the club has organised the puja on behalf of the whole neighbourhood, with everyone from 8 to 80 lending a hand.

Our motto
To serve for the society
Our pledge
Not above you, not beneath you, but always with you.

Visit us

We are here!

Our pandal stands in the lanes of Jeliatola, a short walk from Girish Park in the heart of North Kolkata.

Jeliatola Naba Durga Puja

  • Address15, Sudhir Chatterjee Street, Jeliatola, Kolkata 700006
  • Nearest metroGirish Park (Blue Line), a few minutes' walk
  • Durga Puja 2026Maha Shashthi to Bijoya Dashami · 16–21 October