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The mega carnival entailing fun, feasts, merriment, partying, get-togethers, is almost here. Yes, it is the Durga Puja festival in West Bengal. Every Bong, no matter in which part of the world, has some kind of nostalgia attached to this festival.
If you fancy Bengali culture and traditions, you must visit Kolkata during Durga Puja at least once in your life. Here, Durga Puja is definitely not just an overtly religious festival! It’s much more. Here we will tell you the things you could do during the 5-day festival.
Go Pandal Hopping
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Yes, it’s the true way to imbibe the feel of ‘pujo’. These temporary abodes of Goddess Durga reflect class apart artistic skills. They are built keeping in mind different themes. It is advisable to plan your pandal-hopping spree, over five days, for an organized tour.
Kolkata boasts of several thousands of Durga puja pandals, but some stand out due to their captivating decorations. Every year the pandals compete with each other to win awards for showcasing elaborate and innovative themes. Skymet recommends the following must-visit pandals - Bagbazar Durga puja pandal, Kumartuli Park, College Square, Sealdah Sarbojanin Durgotsav in Santosh Mitra Square and Suruchi Sangha,
The pandals can get extremely crowded, but Durga puja is all about going on a pandal-hopping binge. Let’s warn you, if it’s your first visit to Kolkata you might expect a stampede.
Dress up Traditionally
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Durga puja is all about dressing up in genuine puja threads. Don’t forget to adorn the quintessential white saree with a gorgeous red border on Ashtami. For guys, the dress code is mulmul white kurta with simple and elegant embroidery. The saree clad girls in the pandals during Durga puja is definitely a visual treat.
The favorite shops to buy Bengali sarees are - RMG Basak (Gariahat, 1/1, Nandy Street, New Market), Traders Assembly (Gariahat Main Rd). For kurtas the guys can visit Kimbadanti, situated in 196/1, Rash Behari Avenue, Gariahat, opposite Basanti Devi College.
Street Food Fun
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During this time of the year, you can see food stalls literally in every corner of the city. Cutlets, mughlai parantha, dimer devil, biryani, rosogollas and several other mouthwatering dishes are served in these stalls.
Well known restaurants, street food vendors and neighborhood residents set up food stalls in and around the pandals. Kolkata turns into a smorgasbord of food.
Must Visit Restaurants
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The restaurants across the city offer special menus during this time. Always make sure to book a table in advance to avoid waiting in long queues. Do visit 6 Ballygunge Place for its thaalis; Bhojohori Manna for daab chingri and fish cutlet; Kasturi for kochu paata chingri bhaapa (shrimp steamed with colocasia leaves and mustard paste); Bohemian for Gondhoraj soufflé and malpua cheesecake; ITC Sonar Bangla for prawn cocktails, steak and kidney pie, chicken ala kiev and chicken stroganoff.
Attend Rituals and Functions
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Beginning with the pushpanjali ( chanting of prayers with flowers in hand), various rituals are performed at the pandals every day. Bhog is also offered to the visitors during lunch time. During the evening hours, dive deep into the Bengali culture with aarti and the dhunuchi dance.
Most of the neighborhoods and pandals host cultural performances in the evening hours. Attend these functions to introduce yourself to Rabindra Sangeet, Rabindra Nritya and a host of other dance and music performances. Some also invite celebrities to the pandals.
Attend the Immersion
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Women generally indulge in sindoor khela on the last day or Dashami. I’m sure you know what we are talking about. Yes, women smear vermillion powder on each other just like Holi festival. Thereafter, bid goodbye to the Goddess with a heavy heart. The idols are taken for immersion in the water, mostly in Babu Ghat near Eden Garden.
Featured image courtesy - iDiva
