It all started on a Sunday morning when the thought of visiting CR Park came to mind. Durga Puja 2025 preparations were in full swing, and I didn’t want to miss the charm of this Mini Bengal in Delhi.
I called up my friend and asked if he’d like to join. We fixed 2:30 p.m. outside the Greater Kailash Metro Station (GK) as our meeting point.
(Tip: If you’re planning to visit, GK is the nearest metro station to CR Park & Kali Mandir. The distance is around 1.4 km — easily walkable.)
Table of Contents
The Metro Ride
I took the metro from Rajouri Garden on the Blue Line, interchanged at Janakpuri West, and hopped on the Magenta Line towards Botanical Garden. It’s about 15 stations from Janakpuri West to GK.
The total time it took me on the metro was around an hour.
We both were right on time, met at the station, and started walking towards Kali Mandir, CR Park — the hub of idol-making and puja preparations.
Arriving at Kali Mandir CR Park
Walking through the streets felt like déjà vu. I had visited the same spot last year while working with CURRYiT, when we created content around Durga Puja. That visit inspired me to return this year as well.
Also, last year, I made a video when I visited the Durgotsav Pandal in the morning, where the Puja and other activities were taking place. It was a wonderful moment to capture.
Soon, we reached Kali Mandir Society, where the real magic happens.
Out of curiosity, I’ve been to Kolkata but not on the occasion of Durga Puja. It was the time, where I took dada for the first time in an airplane to visit the place, he was deeply connected in the start of his carrer.
Witnessing the Idols
The first thing I did was head straight to the shed where the idols were kept. The idols were freshly made, drying under the shed before they’d be painted.
I had hoped to see live idol-making but missed it by a few days. When I asked the workers, they shared:
“Painting starts on 15th Sept (Monday) and finishes by 20th Sept (Saturday)”.
There were many idols — small ones outside, and the larger ones carefully placed inside. The raw clay fragrance filled the air, adding to the beauty of the place.
Capturing the Moments
This time, I carried my GoPro with me. I tried creative angles, focusing on idol details and surroundings. Many photographers had also come by to capture the idols.
Later, I switched to my camera for photos. With low light, I had to increase the ISO, but I focused on capturing layered frames — not just plain shots of idols, but compositions with depth and storytelling.
Around the Temple Grounds
After admiring the idols, we took a round of the temple to see the other preparations.
- Pandal setup was happening with workers stitching and fixing decorations.
- Cloth work was being done for the pandals.
- Stalls were being set up — jewellery, clothes, and food — to bring in that full festive vibe.
Everywhere I looked, there was dedication and devotion to Maa Durga. That’s exactly why CR Park is rightly called Delhi’s Mini Bengal.
Wrapping Up the Day
We spent hours soaking in the energy of CR Park. By 5 p.m., we were tired from walking and roaming. I was starving, so we headed to a nearby market, grabbed some snacks, and then made our way back to the GK Metro Station.
The metro ride back home felt long, but I was excited to check the photos and videos I had captured. As soon as I reached, I transferred everything to my desktop — started editing a few photos of the Idol I took.
Final Thoughts
Every year, CR Park transforms into a cultural and spiritual hub during Durga Puja.
Whether it’s the idol-making, pandal decorations, or the festive stalls, everything carries a sense of tradition, love, and belonging.
And yes — it truly feels heartwarming to be in CR Park during Durga Puja preparations & then celebrations.
Have you visited CR Park during Durga Puja?—Please share your thoughts with me in the comments.
