Chakraberia Sarbojanin Durgotsab 2026: Pandal Construction Begins for "Padmodighir Ghate" — 81st Year Update
The bamboo poles have gone up, the iron frames are rising, and Chakraberia Tricone Park in Bhabanipur is slowly starting to look like a construction site with a story to tell. If you've been following our coverage from the very beginning, you already know this puja's journey — from the banner reveal and khuti puja announcement to the khuti puja day itself, where the theme "Padmodighir Ghate" was officially unveiled. Today, we bring you the next chapter: the pandal structure is officially taking shape.
One of Bhabanipur's Most Loved Pujas Gets Down to Work
Chakraberia Sarbojanin Durgotsab is, without doubt, one of the most cherished community pujas of the Bhabanipur area in South Kolkata, and this year the preparations are moving ahead in full swing for its 81st year. Walking past Chakraberia Road these days, you can already sense the quiet buzz that only builds up as Durga Puja gets closer — workers on site, iron rods being welded into place, and the first outline of what will soon become a full-fledged pandal.
(Photo: Workers building the metal and tin framework of the Chakraberia Sarbojanin Durgotsab pandal at Chakraberia Tricone Park, Bhabanipur.)
This year's offering, as revealed earlier, is titled "Padmodighir Ghate" — a name deeply rooted in Bengal's rural imagery. Interestingly, "Padma Dighi" (the lotus pond) is a theme that has found its way into Bengali rhymes and folk verses for generations, making this title feel instantly familiar and nostalgic to anyone who grew up hearing those lines. Whether the pandal will actually feature real water bodies within the puja premises, or interpret the ghat and lotus pond through some entirely different creative lens, is something only time — and the artists — will reveal. For now, all we can say is: the wait has officially begun, and it's an exciting one.
What We're Seeing on Ground: Early Structure Taking Shape
From the two latest updates we're sharing today, you can see the pandal's basic skeleton has already been raised — a tall, angular iron and tin structure standing where the khuti puja was performed just weeks ago. The tin sheeting has gone up on the roof and sides, giving us our first real sense of the pandal's scale, while the surrounding boundary is being wrapped in tarpaulin, a common early-stage practice in Kolkata's puja construction to keep the site secure and shielded from prying eyes until the big reveal.
If you know your pandal-hopping seasons well, you know this stage — the "skeleton phase" — is often the most underrated. It's when the real architecture of the pandal is decided, well before the artistic layers of decoration, lighting, and the idol come together in the final weeks before Panchami.
Meet the Creative Minds Behind "Padmodighir Ghate"
A theme like this doesn't come together on its own — it takes a dedicated team of artists, each bringing their own craft to the table. Here's the full creative line-up behind Chakraberia Sarbojanin Durgotsab's 81st year celebrations:
- Concept & Creation: Sumi Majumder, Shubhodip Majumdar, and Trisha Dutta
- Idol (Maa Durga's Form): Parimal Paul
- Lighting Design: Dinesh Poddar
- Background Score / Sound Design: Goutam Brahma
According to the committee, the lighting design for this edition promises to be a genuinely spectacular element of the presentation, while the idol itself is expected to be one of the most visually striking parts of the entire pandal experience. Considering the calibre of the artists involved, expectations around Chakraberia's 2026 offering are already running high among South Kolkata's puja circle.
Why "Padmodighir Ghate" Has Everyone Curious
There's something quietly powerful about choosing a theme rooted in something as simple and universal as a village pond. Unlike grand mythological or urban-fantasy themes that dominate many big-budget pujas, "Padmodighir Ghate" leans into nostalgia — the kind that instantly transports Bengalis, young and old, back to riverside villages, quiet ghats, and the gentle rhythm of rural life.
The real question on everyone's mind right now is simple: will the pandal actually recreate a ghat with water, lotus flowers, and that unmistakable rural Bengal atmosphere? Or will the artists reinterpret "Padmodighir Ghate" symbolically, through structure, colour, and light rather than literal water bodies? That mystery is exactly what's driving conversations among puja enthusiasts in Bhabanipur and beyond — and it's precisely why we'll keep bringing you updates as the structure progresses.
Following Chakraberia's Journey So Far
For those just joining our coverage, here's a quick recap of how this year's celebrations have unfolded:
- Banner Reveal & Khuti Puja Announcement — the first official word about the 81st year's celebrations and the accompanying blood donation camp.
- Khuti Puja Day & Theme Reveal — the rituals, the celebrations, and the big reveal of "Padmodighir Ghate" along with the creative team.
- Pandal Construction Begins (this post) — the first visuals of the actual structure rising at Chakraberia Tricone Park.
Reading all three together gives you the complete story of how a South Kolkata community puja goes from a bamboo pole and a prayer to a full-blown cultural spectacle — and honestly, that journey is half the fun of following Durga Puja the way we do.
Stay With Us for More Updates
We'll continue visiting Chakraberia Tricone Park as construction progresses — through the bamboo work, the tarpaulin coming down, the idol taking form, and finally the lighting and finishing touches closer to Puja. For the latest official announcements straight from the committee, you can also follow Chakraberia Sarbojanin Durgotsab on Facebook.
And if you're mapping out your South Kolkata pandal-hopping route for this year, keep an eye on our South Kolkata Durga Puja pandals page and Durga Puja 2026 calendar on Durga Puja of Kolkata — Chakraberia's "Padmodighir Ghate" is shaping up to be one of Bhabanipur's most talked-about pujas this season.
Final Thoughts
From a decorated bamboo khuti to an iron-and-tin skeleton rising against the Bhabanipur skyline, Chakraberia Sarbojanin Durgotsab's 81st year is well and truly underway. "Padmodighir Ghate" is still very much under wraps, but the early signs — a strong creative team, a nostalgic theme, and steady construction progress — suggest this could be one of the standout pandals of South Kolkata's Durga Puja 2026 season.
We'll be back with more photos and updates as the structure grows. Until then, keep following Durga Puja of Kolkata for the most complete, on-ground coverage of Chakraberia's road to Durga Puja.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Has pandal construction started for Chakraberia Sarbojanin Durgotsab 2026? Yes, the basic iron and tin framework of the pandal has already been erected at Chakraberia Tricone Park, Bhabanipur.
Q2. What is the theme for Chakraberia Sarbojanin Durgotsab's 81st year? The theme is "Padmodighir Ghate" (At the Ghat of the Lotus Pond), inspired by imagery long associated with Bengali folk rhymes.
Q3. Who are the artists working on this year's theme? Concept and creation are by Sumi Majumder, Shubhodip Majumdar, and Trisha Dutta; the idol is being made by Parimal Paul; lighting design is by Dinesh Poddar; and the background score is by Goutam Brahma.
Q4. Where is Chakraberia Sarbojanin Durgotsab located? The puja is held at Chakraberia Tricone Park, Chakraberia Road, Bhabanipur, South Kolkata.
Q5. Where can I read the earlier updates on this puja? Check our previous posts: Banner Reveal & Khuti Puja Announcement and Khuti Puja Day & Theme Reveal.