Darshanarthi Awards

Darshanarthi.live Awards 2025

Join the Celebration of Democracy, Devotion & Data.

Welcome to Darshanarthi Live Audience Choice Awards 2025 
Durga Puja isn’t just a festival — it’s a movement. And for the first time, it’s going to be measured, celebrated, and rewarded by the people who live it — the spectators.

We invite all Puja Committees — from Kolkata’s renowned Sarbojanins to Bonedi Bari (Heritage) rituals, housing society festivities, institutional and temple pujas, and overseas celebrations — to register for the Darshanarthi Audience Choice Durga Puja Awards 2025, the only audience-driven, tech-powered cultural recognition platform.

What Makes This Different?

For the first time, awards will be based on verified audience participation — not politics or influence.

Our platform combines:

    📍 Geo-fenced visitor check-ins

    📱 QR scans at entry/exit

    📸 Social shares that validate real visits

    🗳️ Category-based ratings and public feedback

    📊 Live leaderboard showcasing rankings across locations

    From Mahalaya to Dashami, every visit, photo, scan, and vote builds a transparent digital footprint — and rewards the most loved pujas with authentic recognition.

    How Puja Committees Can Join

    1. Register your Puja via Darshanarthi.live by 15th August

    2. Place our official QR standees at the entrance and exit points

    3. Encourage visitors to scan once and participate

    4. Watch your live score rise through genuine engagement and visitor love

    5. Promote your leaderboard with pride — and win recognition

    We’ll provide everything you need: QR prints, branding materials, volunteer orientation, and technical support.

    Award Timeline Highlights

    • 15 August – Puja Registration Opens

    • 17th September – Visitor Registration Launches

    • From Mahalaya – Live Voting + Offers Begin

    • Shasthi to Navami – Leaderboard Updated Hourly

    • Navami – Awards Night for Puja Committees Awards

    • Dashami to 31 Oct – Audience Rewards, Lucky Draws, Brand Coupons.

    • Post-Puja Gala – Closing Celebration & Sponsor Felicitation and Announcement of Awards & Best Darshanarthi Lucky Draw.

    Award Categories

    Best Darshanarthi Puja – Kolkata
    Recognizing the most beloved Puja in Kolkata, as voted by on-site visitors.

    Best Darshanarthi Puja – West Bengal
    Celebrating West Bengal’s most adored Puja, based on visitor votes across the state.

    Best Puja Pratima Artist Award – Kolkata + West Bengal
    Honoring the master sculptors behind the most captivating idols, chosen by attendees across the region.

    Best Puja Theme Artist Award – Kolkata + West Bengal
    Acknowledging the creative minds who shaped this year’s most imaginative themes, as voted by visitors.

    Best Puja Theme Song Award – Kolkata
    For the most uplifting theme music—selected by a blend of physical attendees and enthusiastic online voters.

    Best Probasi (India & Overseas) Puja Short Film by Organization (up to 10 min)

    A hybrid honor—decided by both our expert jury and online audience—to celebrate vibrant storytelling from Indian and global diaspora communities.Audience Choice Awards – 10-Minute Puja Short Film (Theme: মা আমার প্রবাসী ) Submission category. This is an opportunity for Puja Committees abroad to capture and share the spirit of Durga Puja, forging a connection between overseas celebrations and the traditions of Kolkata & West Bengal.

    Submission Criteria:

    • The film should be your original work, up to 10 minutes in length (including credits).

    • Permissions must be secured for any third-party music, visuals, or content, and all clearance for Social Media & YouTube/Vimeo Permissions and Copyright rules.

    • Video language can be a mix of Bengali / English / Hindi, with English subtitles preferred.

    • Video must be of acceptable technical quality (preferably 1080p resolution up to 4k ), with clear audio, stable visuals.

    • Provide poster or stills, a short synopsis, and the director’s bio along with the film.

    • Include your Puja Committee name, location, contact person, and, if applicable, sponsor details.

    Process:

    1. Fill out the Short Film Submission: CLICK TO APPLY 

    2. Upload your film via a file transfer to be communicated to the successful entrants.

    3. Submit the required materials (synopsis, stills/poster, director’s bio, etc.) together with the film.

    4. Once submitted, promote your film among your community, social media, local & diaspora audiences to build engagement.

    Judgement Procedure:

    • A Jury Panel, consisting of experts in film, culture, and art, will evaluate approximately 70% of the score. They will assess storytelling, thematic relevance, technical quality (video, sound, editing), creativity, your events, Adda, Talent Showcasing, and how authentically the film reflects Durga Puja traditions, especially the essence of culture and rituals those rooted in Kolkata & West Bengal.

    • Audience votes and engagement will make up about 30% of the total score. We will measure this by the number of views, shares, likes, and votes, comments, social media reach, promotional effort, and use of QR codes or digital tools to engage audiences.

    Timeline:

    • Submissions are open from 5th October 2025 till 15th October 2025, though early submission is encouraged to allow time for audience engagement.

    • All valid entry short films will be on display on our YouTube channel, Facebook, and our App from 15th October to 2nd November 2025.

    • After initial submissions, a jury shortlist will be announced. 

    • Audience voting and engagement will run through the Puja season till Diwali. 

    • Award Winners will be declared via the Darshanarthi Live platform and social media on the 5th of November 2025.

    • The Award Event will be LIVE Online with Jury Members, Influencers, and scope for all shortlisted top pujas to showcase their puja in Kolkata/India, based on Print/TV/Digital Media. 

    Special Awards

    Best Bonedi Bari Puja (Overall)

    Best Housing Community Puja (Overall)

    Why It Matters

    Darshanarthi Live makes cultural recognition transparent, participatory, and tech-enabled—free from bias or influence, driven purely by the love of the people who live and breathe Durga Puja.

    Best Housing Complex Puja (Kolkata+West Bengal)

    Best Bonedi Barir Puja (Kolkata+West Bengal)

    Category‐specific voting rules:

    Categories 1–4: Visitor votes only

    Category 5: Visitors + Online voters

    Category 6: Combined Jury + Online votes

    • Global Bengali Connect

      We especially invite Overseas Bengali Pujas from:
      🇬🇧 UK | 🇺🇸 USA | 🇨🇦 Canada | 🇲🇾 Malaysia | 🇸🇬 Singapore | 🇦🇺 Australia | 🇦🇪 UAE | and others
      …to participate digitally in this Global Puja Celebration Network, and get recognized on an international leaderboard.

      📣Let’s Savor The Festive Fame !

      Whether you’re a Club Organizer, Bonedi Bari committee, Housing Society, or Global Puja Committee,
      and whether you’re a Heritage Brand, Digital Startup, or Global Enterprise…

      Darshanarthi.live is your stage to shine.

      1. Reach Us

        Kolkata, West Bengal

      2. Drop A Mail

        hello@darshanarthi.live

      3. Make a Call

        +91 8240346134

      4. For Sponsorship Contact

        8584029535 / admin@idearcade.com