![\"DSC_0316\"](\"http:\/\/cynthiasiegel.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/DSC_0316.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nThis most\u00a0spectacular of spectacles could be likened to a combination of Disney World, Las Vegas, and Burning Man (sans nudity). \u00a0We saw everything from the grandest commercial extravaganzas to tiny, lovingly\u00a0heartfelt private\u00a0family shrines (the truth: these are my faves). \u00a0The estimate that I’d heard several times was upwards of 15000 Durga images\u00a0in Kolkata alone! \u00a0Most pandals are sponsored by clubs and other local community organizations, with some sponsorship from local businesses.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
The biggest, most elaborate pandals usually have snagged big corporate sponsorships, are themed, and often have renowned artists and designers at their organizational helms. \u00a0The planning for next year’s big-budget pandals begins almost immediately after the prior year’s celebrations! \u00a0There are also many sponsored pandal contests,\u00a0with celebrities and other prominent personages as their judges. \u00a0At the heart of each pandal, somewhere within, often underneath a plethora\u00a0of clothing, hair, props, and other decorations, are the clay, straw, and bamboo figures that brought\u00a0me to Kolkata.<\/p>\n
Enough chatter for the moment, yes? \u00a0Time to show you some pics!<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Enter into a giant lotus with whirling imagery<\/p>\n
Durga looms above it all<\/p>\n A glimpse of a golden Durga inside<\/p>\n \u00a0Below is a pandal dedicated to late Bollywood actress Suchitra Sen, who\u00a0died earlier this year. <\/p>\n <\/p>\n A smaller, but charming pandal with figurative columns<\/p>\n I’ve been enjoying the chandeliers of each pandal – they are often over the top!<\/p>\n \u00a0Community-sponsored pandal<\/p>\n Walkway towards family puja pandal of a very sweet and welcoming retired doctor.<\/p>\n His Durga pandal is below.<\/p>\n \u00a0 And below is an example of some of the fabulously creative decorated walkways intended to entice viewers towards a pandal<\/p>\n More Durga Puja tomorrow……<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" “Beauty and Chaos” \u00a0– one way to describe that which is Durga Puja! We heard this\u00a0phrase first from\u00a0photographer Dev Nayak, \u00a0when Stan and I met him while undergoing some serious\u00a0“pandal-hopping” with Partha Dey in South Kolkata. \u00a0Dev’s actually comment was, “Beauty and chaos, in India you can’t have one without the other!” It’s Monday evening, … Continue reading Beauty and Chaos<\/span> <\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/p>\n<\/a>Insanely crafted, metal leaf-covered Buddhist temple-inspired pandal<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/p>\n