Toast To Sunderban & An Irish Collaboration: Diverse Bengal Pandals Kick Off Durga Puja Fervour

A Durga Puja pandal in Kolkata. Devotees of Goddess Durga eagerly await this festival, which is celebrated with extra fervour in West Bengal. (Photo: PTI)

Irish artists Richard Babington (L) and Lisa Sweeney add finishing touches to an idol of Goddess Danu at a community Durga Puja pandal in Kolkata. The Irish embassy collaborated with local organisers to set up a joint Durga Puja pandal this year. (Photo: PTI)

An artist prepares an 'environment-friendly' puja pandal using plants for Durga Puja, at Lalabagan Nabankur in Kolkata. (Photo: PTI)

An idol of Goddess Durga inspired by village women at a Sunderban-community-themed Durga Puja pandal in Kolkata. (Photo: PTI)

A Durga Puja pandal showcasing the map of Sunderban. (Photo: PTI)

Artisans give final touches to an idol of Goddess Durga ahead of Durga Puja, at Balurghat in Dakshin Dinajpur district. (Photo: PTI)