6 Kinds of Durg Pandal Hoppers You Meet in Kolkata

Durga Pujo is a week long celebration these days in Bengal. Dazzling decorations, jaw-dropping idols, exclusive theme-based decor, lighting, sound effects, installations, the entire city of Kolkata is now a giant road-show or carnival or feast for the senses. 

From the second or third day of Debi Paksha, the crowds start swelling and you bump into all kind of revelers or "pandal hoppers", as we call them.  

For the uninitiated, pandal hoppers are that breed of enthu-cutlets visitors who flit from pandal to pandal ticking off the must-see pujas from their list. This list has the names of this year's popular "theme pujas", as well as the traditional crowd pullers. Also included in the list are the "award" winning pujas that are discussed on social media for either uniqueness or shock value or some other x-factor. 

The variety of pandal hoppers is eclectic. From the bundle of endless energy kids, to the selfie-clicking youngster, to the middle aged honcho herding his entire brood, to the group of gregarious uncles and aunties, you have them all.

Let's take a look at 6 major types.

Types of Durga Puja Pandal Hoppers:

1. The list-tickers - 

The toppers are those who are loathe to miss any of the blockbusters or the bonedi bari pujos, or the traditional barowari pujos, either in North, or South or East or West Kolkata. They will hop on the nearest bus or train and also do a round-up of the suburbs to check out noted pandals. Surviving on coke and chowmin, or egg roll and ice cream, they have undefagatible enthusiasm coupled with good walking feet. To miss out on any must-see pandal is sacrilege for them. Goodbye to rest and home comfort for these puja days.

2. The barely-there, mostly-come-to-post-about-it crowd - 

Perpetually on their phones, these guys actually don't experience any puja, they just see through their camera or phone lens. Click-click, post-post, what did I miss, these folks are more concerned about their followers on social media getting "a feel of the ambience". So thoughtful of these selfless guys! Imagine braving crowds and walking miles, only for the purpose of posting on Instagram or Facebook about the decor, idol, the food stalls, the ambience for the benefit of other people! 

Basically, they operate like mini TV channels or broadcasters, their "live" telecasts are epic!

3. The click-me-from-all-angles models and stars - 

Basically the model or film-star wannabes, their aim is to exploit unique backdrops for posting selfies and perfect pictures. Pouting, preening, posing, the pandals are a huge stage for these guys who come impeccably dressed in sarees or fusion dresses, complete with matching accessories and shades. Ask them about the pandal or idol, and they will gape at you clueless!

4. The "hyan-re, eta-dekhishni!" uncles and aunties - 

Also social influencers, of the older generation, these people are the chroniclers of all pujos - past and present. They will tell you the history of the first puja, the jaw-dropping pandal of 1983, the time Uttam Kumar visited so and so pandal, the unfortunate incident of a pandal catching fire, etc, etc,.. Haven't you seen that pandal, they will ask you shell-shocked.

Boy, you have missed something! Talking to these bundles of energy give you a massive complex about what a weakling you are - taking rest and venturing out in the evening only.

5. The have-come-here-to-eat-only guys - 

This breed comes only to eat from all kinds of stalls around popular puja pandals. Roadside eateries, ice cream stalls, candy floss and phuchka vendors, roll and chowmein sellers, cafes and restaurants around pandals pull them like magnets. Surviving on bhoger khichuri in daytime, and night-time food orgies around roadside stalls, these foodies keep antacids well stocked in their pockets. 

6. The less-is-more, "lyadh" pandal visitors - 

Hardly pandal hoppers, these are more of pandal samplers. They choose the less crowded, the easily motorable, and the most convenient pandals to visit, popularity and hype be damned. For them, comfort is prime. They will search for seats to rest their bums in, proper eating places or cafes to recharge, fans and ACs in pandals to air themselves. And will spend half-hour or more, gazing at the pandal, idol, decorations, performances etc. 

So, which one are you? Write about your pandal hopping experience on comments!

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