This year, the Lalabagan  Nabankur Durga  Puja Pandal in North Kolkata has captured citywide attention for its innovative and socially conscious theme. Constructed using over 3 lakh plastic bottles, the pandal aims to shed light on the escalating environmental crisis caused by plastic pollution. By transforming discarded plastic into art, the puja committee is creating a striking visual while simultaneously delivering a critical message about the oceans and marine life. The theme, titled “Karagar” (Cage), is designed to resemble an underwater aquarium. Real fish swim inside the setup, symbolizing the entrapment and suffering of aquatic organisms in oceans choked with plastic waste.

The Theme ‘Karagar’: A Symbol of Marine Struggle

The idea behind the theme is deeply symbolic. Tapas Ray, secretary of Lalabagan Nabankur, explains, “This cage is a symbolic portrayal of how the fish, and other underwater lives feel when they are engulfed in the huge amounts of plastics that we dispose in the sea.” Scientific studies reinforce the pandal’s message , at least 267 species of marine life face existential threats due to plastic debris, with nearly 86% of sea turtles, along with fish, birds, and corals, directly affected by plastic pollution. By bringing this issue to the streets of Kolkata during the city’s most celebrated festival, the committee bridges art, devotion, and environmental education, prompting thousands of visitors to reflect on human impact on the natural world.

Turning Waste into Wonder: Design and Visual Impact

Under the artistic direction of Prashanta Pal, the goddess Durga takes on the form of a sea deity, with her crown resembling a conch and the surroundings mimicking an underwater world. The pandal’s blue lighting at night creates a magical effect as it reflects on the water and the fish swimming inside. The visual beauty of the installation is haunting yet thought-provoking. Visitors encounter an oceanic prison, a place where marine creatures struggle for survival, highlighting the consequences of unchecked plastic usage. By using discarded materials creatively, the pandal transforms waste into a storytelling medium, merging aesthetics with an urgent social message.

A Legacy of Eco-Friendly Innovation

Lalabagan Nabankur is no stranger to eco-conscious themes. Last year, the committee built a pandal using over 8,000 green plants, earning acclaim as one of Kolkata’s most environmentally friendly pandals. The continuation of this approach demonstrates a long-term commitment to sustainability while embracing the artistic grandeur that Durga Puja is known for. The committee’s work illustrates how festivals can become platforms for social change, inspiring communities to consider the environmental footprint of their celebrations. By choosing plastic bottles as the primary medium, they highlight the recycling, reusing, and repurposing of everyday products, emphasizing that small actions can collectively lead to significant change.

Durga Puja: Tradition, Creativity, and Consciousness

Durga Puja in Kolkata is more than a religious festival ,  it is a cultural phenomenon that brings the city together. Streets light up with vibrant decorations, dhakis (traditional drummers) create rhythmic celebrations, and pandals serve as canvases for artistic expression. Each year, puja committees aim to stand out with themes that combine tradition, social messages, and modern artistry. 

This year, Lalabagan Nabankur’s eco-friendly initiative resonates with the evolving consciousness of the public. Visitors are drawn not only to admire the beauty but also to reflect on pressing environmental issues. The installation encourages people to think critically about plastic waste and its consequences, turning celebration into an opportunity for awareness and education.  By allowing visitors to experience the underwater world and see marine life “trapped” in plastic, the committee creates empathy and understanding. People, especially children, are confronted with the  effects of human negligence, making the message of sustainability more personal and emotionally resonant.

A Festival with a Purpose

The Lalabagan Nabankur Durga Puja Pandal is a powerful fusion of art, devotion, and environmental advocacy. By using discarded plastic bottles to depict the plight of marine life, the committee creates an emotional and visual experience that relates  deeply with visitors. The theme “Karagar” challenges the public to consider the consequences of plastic waste and adopt sustainable practices in daily life. In a city where Durga Puja is celebrated with unmatched grandeur, Lalabagan  Nabankur proves that festivals can be both spectacular and socially conscious, inspiring a generation to enjoy cultural traditions while caring for the planet.