Noida: City highrises have taken to Durga Puja with gusto — from the longest street alpona in the NCR region to innovative pandals . Highrises are showcasing a remarkable blend of culture, community and creativity — exemplified by the grand street alponas in sectors 137 and 62 and innovative pandals and celebrations — with the vibrant festivities filling the air.



Sector 137 : Sarbojanin Puja Samiti is drawing crowds with its striking theme, ‘Jeevan Chakra – The Cycle of Life.’ This year, the celebration has become a symbol of spirituality, art and community participation, reflecting the inclusive spirit of the city. One of the standout attractions is the awe-inspiring alpona (traditional folk art form), claimed to be the longest in Delhi-NCR, created collaboratively by the residents. Spanning approximately 600 feet (0.25 km), this intricate artwork serves as a testament to the creativity of the residents of the area.




Samiti brings together residents from eight residential societies, including Paras Tiera, Logix Blossom County, Purvanchal Royal Park, Ajnara Daffodil, Supertech Ecocity, Exotica Fresco, Gulshan Vivante and Paramount Floraville in Sector 137 to celebrate Durga Puja and promote cultural heritage, community participation and social harmony.




Exotica Fresco AOA general secretary Surojit Dasgupta told TOI, “The alpona not only showcases our artistic abilities but also signifies our unity amid diversity. While in-house members and residents created this beautiful artwork, more than 1,500 residents contribute daily to the afternoon bhoj, fostering an environment of devotion and togetherness.”




The celebration continues to attract attention, with daily footfall estimated at between 15,000 and 25,000, surging to over 35,000 on peak days — ashtami and navami. Elaborating on the puja theme, Sarbojanin Puja Samiti president Ankhi Dasgupta said, “Our theme beautifully encapsulates our belief in the cycle of life and the energy that keeps our community thriving.”



Sector 62 : Another street alpona can be found at Sarbojonin Puja Samiti (SPS), which is celebrating its silver jubilee (25th year) of Durga Puja from Oct 16 to 21. The 190-ft-long and 30-ft-wide colourful and intricately designed street alpona adorning the bylanes at the front of the puja park beautifully melds nature with spiritual prayers and commemorates the 25th anniversary of the SPS Puja.




The puja pandal theme at SPS is inspired by the iconic new ISKCON Temple at Mayapur (Sri Mayapur Chandrodaya Mandir), one of the largest temple complexes in the world. “Our pandal’s pravesh dwar (entry gate) will be made as a replica and the decorations are enhanced by a megha-shyama (cloud-hued) backdrop, adding to the spiritual ambience of the celebrations,” said Deblina Roy from SPS.




The celebrations are not only about visual spectacle. They also emphasise the importance of community spirit, bringing together residents of over 40 low-to-mid-rise cooperative group housing societies (CGHS) and gated apartment complexes of the planned commercial, IT and institutional hub.



100x Sectors: Srijoni Cultural Society in Sector 119, in its 14th edition, is an attraction for over a dozen high-rises in 100x Sectors, including Amrapali Zodiac, Gaur Grandeur, RG Residency, Amrapali Platinum, Eldeco Aamantran and more.




Traditional handcrafted alpona, meticulously drawn with devotion by society members, set the tone for a collective celebration. As you step closer, the pandal unfolds like a living canvas, featuring authentic motifs and traditional paintings that depict the timeless charm and rich heritage of Bengal’s countryside. Inside, the space is lovingly decorated with iconic rural handicrafts, including handwoven gamchas, traditional bamboo kulos and decorative pakhas, instantly transporting visitors to a serene Bengali village.




“This year, our Durga Puja celebrates the soulful beauty of rural Bengal, offering a heartfelt tribute to the roots, art and rural traditions that define our cultural identity. It serves as a vibrant home away from home, weaving the warmth, tradition, and timeless heritage of Bengal into the bustling heart of Delhi-NCR. Distance melts away as we bring a cherished piece of our homeland alive, creating an immersive sanctuary where nostalgia meets festive devotion,” said SCS office-bearer Anjan Mukherjee.




The idol of goddess Durga is crafted in a white and golden theme, embodying the tranquil purity, simplicity, and spiritual peace of rural life, while the shimmering gold signifies the abundant harvests, warmth and prosperity of our ancestral roots.




SCS Society also engages in philanthropic work in and around the city — including blanket drives at the onset of winter, eye check-up camps in March and April, health check-ups dedicated to women and young girls and community clothes distribution drives.



Sector 100: Another notable Puja in the area includes Lotus Boulevard Sanskritik Samity (LBSS), which celebrates its 10th Puja this year with elders from an old-age home, inaugurating the LBSS Puja on Oct 16. The five-day festival marks a decade of inclusivity, community service and care for nature. “It’s better when we do it together” has been the LBSS motto over the years. To mark the 10-year milestone, elders from Guru Vishram Vridh Ashram inaugurated the puja on Oct 16. Many residents of the ashram live without the support of their families.




“LBSS has always been about togetherness, and what better way to demonstrate it than by involving the elders?” said LBSS secretary Kaustav Ghosh. “For our 10th year, we wanted to honour people who are too often forgotten. The elders from Guru Vishram Vridh Ashram are not just our guests. If they — even for a moment — forget their sense of loneliness, we’ll consider it a successful Puja,” said Ghosh, who added that LBSS will also donate to the old-age home, in addition to providing medicines, clothing, and other essential items.




What began in 2007 as a small gathering of Bengali families has grown over the past decade. “Ten years ago, we were a handful of families trying to recreate a little bit of home away from home,” said Ghosh. “Over time, our neighbours from every background made it their puja too, with member-made handicrafts and hand-painted décor.” The five days of cultural programmes from Shashthi to Dashami include music, dance, and drama.



Sector 120: Purbahno Bengali Cultural Association (BCA) at Prateek Laurel is celebrating its 12th year of Durga Puja this time with the puja theme of ‘Shanti Rupena Samsthita.’ The Puja has been awarded “Best Apartment Puja in Noida” for the last two consecutive years in 2024 and 2025. “This year, we are putting in our all-out efforts to bag the coveted award for the third time in a row and score the hat-trick. All preparations are going on in full swing,” said Purbahno BCA patron S Saha.