Kajol celebrates Durga Puja with children Nysa and Yug in traditional finery

The coconut, not only integral to Hindu rituals including the ones followed in Durga Puja but also the key ingredient of a sweet served during this time of the year in Bengal, happens to be the theme of one of the pandals in Kolkata promoting sustainability. More than 2,000 discarded coconut shells have been used in the decoration of this pandal, located in the neighbourhood of Topsia.

“The entire structure and decoration are an ode to the versatility of the coconut tree, which provides food, drink, shelter, fibre, fuel, and countless materials for traditional and modern uses. Coconut shells, coir, dried leaves, and husk have been used to decorate the space, making it look earthy and an ethereal home for Goddess Durga,” said installation designer Sujata Chatterjee about the pandal.

“We are calling the pandal Nariyal Katha. It has been designed to give visitors the feel of stepping inside a coconut — a symbolic womb of nature, nurture, and nourishment. It serves as a true reminder of sustainability, for it is not only constructed of eco-friendly materials but is, in fact, a zero-waste installation, where every part will again be reused or repurposed,” Ms. Chatterjee, an engineer by qualification, said.