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Being a Bengali born and brought up in Hyderabad, pandal hopping has been an annual family ritual during Durga Puja.
And I can safely say on behalf of the numerous Bengalis living in this city — Durga Puja is an emotional festival for us. It’s a celebration of our roots, faith, culture and traditions, which we try to keep alive despite living away from our ancestral land.
So, allow me to take you through the 10 most popular durga puja pandals of Hyderabad, including my favorite one and the highlights of each of them. Also find out what you can expect in the 2025 Durga Puja celebrations, scheduled from September 27th to October 2nd.
Contents
1. Bangiya Sanskritik Sangha (Secunderabad)
This has been one of the most crowded durga puja pandals of Hyderabad for the last 60 years. The Bangiya Sanskritik Sangha celebrations at Keyes High School curates a fantastic cultural show, with at least one major playback singer performing every year. They also have a huge number of food stalls, with some specially flown in from West Bengal.
TWT Tip: Try the rare and indulgent Bengali street delicacy called Dhakai (Bangladeshi) Porota here at the food stalls of Keyes High School Durga Puja. It is a huge layered puri filled with yellow peas-potato curry, spices & salad! You won’t find it anywhere else in Hyderabad and it’s a flavor bomb.
Location: Keyes High School
Highlights: Shankha Dhwani competition on Dashami (Oct 2), performance by Bollywood singer Palak Muchhal on Navami (Oct 1)
2. Utsab Cultural Association (Gachibowli)
My personal favorite, Utsab Cultural Association organizes a pet-friendly Durga Puja Pandal in Gachibowli, which is popular among IT folks. The puja venue offers enough space for our fur babies to move around. Plus, I love some of the authentic Bengali food stalls that they bring in from Kolkata.
TWT Tip: Don’t miss trying some of the lesser-found Bengali dishes here, such as Mochar Chop (banana flower croquettes) and Koraishutir Kochuri (fried flat bread stuffed with green pea filling) with Alu Dom (bengali style potato curry).
Location: Gachibowli Stadium (no more at ITHM)
Highlights: Performance by Ankita Bhattacharya on Shashti (Sept 28), Bengali recitation competition on Saptami (Sept 29)
3. Suchitra Bengali Committee (Kompally)
The newest Durga Puja pandal in Hyderabad started only in 2023, Kompally Suchitra Bengali Committee organizes a vibrant celebration with bhog, cultural performances and a stunning pandal.
Location: AMR Gardens
Highlights: Bhog & cultural events
4. Bengali Cultural Association (Banjara Hills)
One of the grandest and most popular Durga Puja pandals in Hyderabad, the Bengali Cultural Association’s celebrations are over 50 years old. Here, you can expect to enjoy some lively cultural performances, Sindur Khela (ladies playing with vermillion) and an array of food stalls.
Location: Banjara Function Hall
Highlights: Sandhi Puja (Sept 30)
5. Hyderabad Bangalee Samity (Domalguda)
Being organized for the last 80+ years, the Hyderabad Bangalee Samity’s Durga Puja Pandal has it all — from art competitions for kids to Maha Yagna, music-dance recitals to mouthwatering Bengali food.
Location: NTR Stadium
6. Sur-O-Dhwani (Gachibowli)
Sur-O-Dhwani’s Durga Puja goes beyond the traditional celebrations, as they try to set up an eco-friendly pandal, besides organizing social impact initiatives and cultural programs for visitors.
Location: Gachibowli Stadium
Highlights: Crafts workshop, cooking workshop & eco-friendly initiatives
7. Hyderabad Kalibari (Sainikpuri)
This is a 50+ year old temple dedicated to Goddess Kali, where Durga Puja is organized every year. The relatively smaller and traditional pandal offers a delicious bhog, apart from the beautifully conducted puja and celebrations.
Location: Kalibari
Highlights: Pushpanjali
8. Cyberabad Bangali Association (Miyapur)
With a grand Durga Puja pandal that features a unique theme every year, this new puja association hosts large food stalls and keeps art work created by children on display. Cyberabad Bangali Association also take eco-friendly initiatives while setting up the pandal.
Location: Narenn Nakshtra Convention
Highlights: Cultural programs every evening & Sindur Utsav on Oct 2
9. Prabashi Association (Nizampet)
From devotional performances to the traditional Dhunuchi Naach and Dhaaki, this Durga Puja Pandal offers several cultural glimpses of the festival. You can also enjoy some classical dance and singing shows by playback singers at Prabashi Association.
Location: Saptapadi Function Hall
Highlights: Bhog Aarti & Sondhi Puja
10. Ramakrishna Math (Domalguda)
The Durga Puja event hosted by Ramakrishna Math is more spiritual in nature and focuses on surrendering to the goddess through chants. From Chandi Parayanam to evening bhajans and bhog, this puja will help you soak in the true essence of Durga Puja.
Location: Ramakrishna Math
Highlights: Everyday bhajan & bhog
TWT Summary Of Hyderabad Durga Puja Pandals
Honestly, every durga puja pandal in Hyderabad celebrates the festival with equal aplomb, devotion and grandeur. The happiness and strong cultural emotions are almost palpable.
However, if you’re looking for quieter and less crowded pandals, you can visit Ramakrishna Math, Kompally Suchitra Bengali Committee, and Kali Bari.
For those who wish to enjoy the massive and popular pandals, you can participate in the celebrations organized by Utsab Cultural Association, Bangiya Sanskritik Sangha, Bengali Cultural Association and Cyberabad Bangali Association.
Frequently Asked Questions About Hyderabad Durga Puja Pandals
- Can we expect any safety and crowd management initiatives at Hyderabad’s Durga Puja pandals?
Hyderabad’s Durga Puja pandals are actually quite safe and well-organized. There has never been any crowd management or safety issues. The organizers as well as visitors have a peaceful conduct, keeping the essence of the festival in mind.
- Which are the most popular Durga Puja pandals in Hyderabad?
Hyderabad’s most popular Durga Puja pandals are Bangiya Sanskritik Sangha, Utsab Cultural Association, Bengali Cultural Association and Cyberabad Bangali Association.
- Are any of Hyderabad’s Durga Puja pandals eco-friendly?
Sur-O-Dhwani’s Durga Puja pandal in Khajaguda and Cyberabad Bangali Association’s puja in Miyapur take several eco-friendly initiatives while organizing their celebrations, which include bamboo and jute decor, besides creating an earthen idol.
- What are the dates of Durga Puja 2025?
Durga Puja starts from September 21 this year, with Mahalaya being observed that day. However, the festivities at Durga Puja pandals will start from September 27 (Panchami) and end on October 2 (Vijaya Dashami).
- What are the timings of aarti & bhog in the Hyderabad Durga Puja pandals?
The timings of aarti and bhog vary slightly at each pandal. However, aarti and bhog are usually held multiple times in a day at all the pandals. So you can check for each of them on their social media pages.
- Are there any cultural events and food stalls at the Durga Puja pandals in Hyderabad?
Hyderabad’s Durga Puja pandals have many cultural events that include dance and singing performances, skits, dhunuchi naach, sindur khela and art competitions for kids. All pandals also put up food stalls, which include Bengali dishes.
- Is there any entry fee at Hyderabad’s Durga Puja pandals and are non-Bengalis allowed to visit?
No entry fee is charged by Durga Puja pandals in Hyderabad and they are open to all people, including non-Bengalis.
