Kolkata, renowned for its vibrant and immersive Durga Puja celebrations, is witnessing a fascinating blend of tradition and cutting-edge technology this year. As the festival takes center stage, it is no surprise that social media platforms are buzzing with an array of reels and photographs showcasing the awe-inspiring theme-driven pujas crafted throughout the city. Amidst this plethora of information, Sourya Roy, an IT professional, found himself at a crossroads, struggling to decide which pandals to explore. His innovative solution? He consulted ChatGPT to generate a comprehensive four-day pandal hopping itinerary, covering diverse exhibits across Kolkata, with the AI platform promptly delivering a meticulously organized plan, complete with the quickest routes and recommendations for food stops along the way.
The fusion of technology with this age-old festival marks an evolution in Kolkata’s cultural landscape. Over time, Durga Puja has progressed from a humble celebration of divine tradition to an elaborate spectacle that intertwines art, culture, history, and modern innovation. The inclusion of technology through tools such as OpenAI, 360-degree Virtual Reality (VR) tours, intricate 11D lighting, and dynamic interactive shows, as well as mobile applications for pandal navigation, has transitioned the festivities into a truly immersive experience. In a bid to enhance festival-goers’ experience, the Kolkata Police have introduced AI-enabled display boards this year, providing real-time information about waiting times outside major pandals.
A notable technological advancement is ThePujaApp, a non-profit organization that has been offering virtual reality tours of past and present puja pandals for over a decade. These tours can be accessed on iOS and Android devices, as well as through Oculus VR headsets. With an extensive archive of over 300 pujas, ThePujaApp has become a bridge for NRIs yearning for a connection to their roots. Soumyajit Chakraborty, who has resided abroad for more than 15 years, utilizes the app to share the spectacle of Durga Puja with his friends in Ireland. The app provides 15k quality experiences, which Chakraborty accesses through his iPhone and projects onto his television or pairs with Oculus for a truly immersive encounter.
Recently, founders of ThePujaApp invited a writer to experience the grandeur of Durga Puja through an Oculus headset. With an impressive 15k resolution and sweeping drone shots, participants were transported into the vibrant world of the pujas.
. The ambiance—complete with the sound of traditional hymns, the rhythmic beats of the dhaak, and the animated cityscape—was impeccably integrated, providing a solitary experience devoid of the usual bustling crowds. The 360-degree experience included display screens disclosing the artists involved in the creation of each pandal, thereby acknowledging the artistry and craftsmanship behind these masterpieces.
In addition to VR tours, technological advancements extend to individual pandal creations as well. Situated in North Kolkata, the Santosh Mitra Square Pandal stands as a testament to this integration. A colossal spheroid, resembling the iconic Las Vegas Sphere, captivates visitors with a synchronized interplay of emotion, light, color, and sound, all rendered through 1,68,000 puck-sized LEDs and immersive 11D displays. The sphere, towering at 112 meters in height and covering 5,400 square meters, redefines the visual experience with its multidimensional effects. Undoubtedly, the integration of such technology elevates the festive spirit.
Moreover, technology aids festival-goers in pandal hopping through applications like the Durga Puja Pandal Hopper available on the Google Play Store. This app, with over 10,000 downloads and consistent user engagement since 2018, serves as a digital guide, showcasing high-resolution images of pandals across Kolkata. Users can curate personalized itineraries supported by GPRS, providing precise locations and optimal traffic routes to navigate around crowds. Illustrator Sabari Moulik commends the app for its role in streamlining their pandal-hopping adventures over the past two years, noting its ease of use and efficient navigation features.
Thus, Kolkata’s Durga Puja symbolizes an extraordinary convergence of tradition and technology, weaving together divine narratives with digital innovation. Deities now arrive on virtual chariots with the aid of fiber-optic interconnections, inviting revellers like Sourya to seize their AI-crafted itineraries and delve into the festivities. This dynamic integration of technology underscores that the evolution of tradition is not merely a step forward but a dynamic interplay between the past and future, as Kolkata ushers in an era where the sacred and the digital intertwine seamlessly amidst the timeless celebrations.
