How about a slice of Bengal in the heart of Delhi? That’s Chittaranjan Park for you. It is also known as C.R. Park. It is an upscale neighborhood in South East Delhi. It is home to a large Bengali community. Let’s explore this fascinating locality together.
Chittaranjan Park wasn’t always called that. Back in the early 1960s it was known as EPDP Colony. That stood for East Pakistan Displaced Persons Colony. The name changed in the 1980s. It was renamed after the patriot Chittaranjan Das. Today Chittaranjan Park is one of the posh localities in South Delhi.
Imagine this rocky terrain transformed into a vibrant community. In 1954 people formed an association for inhabitants displaced from East Bengal during the Partition of India. Many government officers from East Bengal migrated to Delhi. They wanted a residential neighborhood. People like Chandra Kumar Mukherjee and Shyamaprasanna Senverma played leading roles. In the 1960s the government assigned land in the then-distant southern areas.
To get a plot residents needed to prove they lived and worked in Delhi. Based on this 2147 people received land initially on a 99-year lease. Later it converted into freehold ownership. The Delhi Development Authority also played a role. Many people could not afford to build houses. So the DDA built houses and residents paid off the cost in installments.
The original layout had plots divided into eleven blocks A to K. There were also markets and cultural spaces. In the 1990s more displaced families arrived. This led to new blocks like M N and O. The main street is Bipin Chandra Pal Marg.
Chittaranjan Park is bordered by Kalkaji Greater Kailash and Alaknanda. It is next to the business center at Nehru Place. Over time Chittaranjan Park has become more pan-Indian. Still it attracts many Bengalis. It’s now the most important outpost of Bengali culture in Delhi.
The first Bengali settlers came to Delhi in the late 1700s and early 1800s. An essential requirement was a Kali Bari. The first Kali Bari of Delhi is at Tis Hazari. It was established in 1826.
Chittaranjan Park is a major center of Bengali cultural life in Delhi. The evenings here come alive. People enjoy Adda a favorite Bengali pastime. The Durga Puja celebrations are famous. They boast magnificent marquees and cultural functions. Major Durga Puja celebrations occur in B-Block Kali Mandir and other grounds. Auditoriums at Chittaranjan Bhawan host Bengali theatre and music.
Chittaranjan Park is also known for its markets. They are full of freshwater fish. This is an integral part of Bengali cuisine. You will also find a large Kali temple and cultural centers. There are four big markets. They specialize in Bengali sweets and Calcutta-style street food. Think chops cutlets and kathi rolls. The markets are known as Market-1 Market-2 Market-3 and Market-4.
Listen to the sounds around you. You might hear Bengali spoken everywhere. Chittaranjan Park truly feels like Bengal outside Bengal. It is a vibrant community with a rich history and culture. It has the spirit of Kolkata in Delhi.