In pictures: A glimpse into the vibrant probashi Durga Pujas of Gurugram

While New Delhi's ‘probashi’ pujas have been popular, the number of pujas in the commercial hub of Gurugram have also been around for years — some as old as four decades — thanks to the sizeable ‘probashi’ Bengali community

The simple pandal and ‘ekchala thakur’ adorned in ‘sholar saaj’ at Nirvana Patio’s Durga Puja in sector 50 reminded visitors of Kolkata’s ‘para pujos’

The Puja at DLF 5 Club had all the simple joys of a ‘probashi’ puja, from an Anando Mela to cultural performances by members and visiting artistes and a dandiya night on Navami

While not at the scale of Kolkata’s Durga Pujas, the pandals at Gurugram have also started embracing the concept of themes. Started in 2006, the Durga Puja organised by Bangiya Parishad Gurgaon at HUDA Grounds, Sector 56, had a theme focussed on education and inspired by Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar’s ‘Bornoporichoy’

The popular DLF City Durga Puja and Bengali Cultural Society celebrated the legacy of the Rays — Upendrakishore Ray Chowdhury, Sukumar Ray and Satyajit Ray — with a pandal inspired by ‘Sonar Kella’ and cultural performances based on ‘Abol Tabol’ and ‘Goopy Gyne Bagha Byne’. What stood out was the idol, which won an award for best ‘protima’

The Sushant Lok Durga Puja Committee celebrated its silver jubilee year with a Nabadurga theme, showcasing nine avatars of the goddess, and bagged third place in the Shera Pujo category of Gurugram’s Sharod Samman awards

Gurugram's oldest Durga Puja, organised at the Sector 9A Community Centre by the Gurgaon Bengalee Association, first celebrated their Durgotsav in 1982. Marking their 43rd year, the pujo is a must-visit for its homely vibes and Bangaliyana

Also serving a generous dose of Bangaliyana, along with a delicious ‘khichuri bhog’ on Ashtami, was the Utsav Durga Puja, held at the community centre in Sector 45. As ‘pushpanjali’ wrapped up on Ashtami morning, and the ‘bhog’ was laid out for the goddess, ladies joined the ‘dhaakis’ — who had travelled from Midnapore — to dance to the beats before tucking into a lunch of ‘bhoger khichuri’, ‘labra’ and ‘payesh’

In a first for Gurugram and possibly Delhi NCR, the puja at Utsav opened its doors to four-legged visitors. In association with the Ultimutt Pet Resort and Day Care, the pandal welcomed pet parents with their furry companions on October 11 and 12