The 5 day long Durga Puja has rendered a completely different image to the city since my last visit 2 months back. The city roads were all illuminated with different designs, making the city look completely bejeweled. My host in Kolkata was my college mate, Deb. After freshening up & a sumptuous delicious meal from Deb's mother, we headed out to explore the Festive Kolkata.
The main objectives of the day were Pandal hopping & eating out. The Pandal is the display of Goddess Durga. The activity of visiting these pandals is known as Pandal Hopping. The whole city hosts a large number of pandals and it takes a lot of patience, stamina and festive spirit to visit as many pandals as possible. The best time to do pandal hopping is night. Another interesting fact is that each pandal has a unique theme. Built in grand scale, pandals are exceptional work of art. The decoration of the pandals are no less, with use of lights and interesting artifacts, like one of the pandal was decorated with paper cups. Another interesting fact is that each pandal has a unique theme. The festival is considered incomplete without food. Pandal hopping gets more motivating with the presence of food stalls in and around these pandals. From Puchkas (Gol Guppa) to momos i tried everything.
The main objectives of the day were Pandal hopping & eating out. The Pandal is the display of Goddess Durga. The activity of visiting these pandals is known as Pandal Hopping. The whole city hosts a large number of pandals and it takes a lot of patience, stamina and festive spirit to visit as many pandals as possible. The best time to do pandal hopping is night. Another interesting fact is that each pandal has a unique theme. Built in grand scale, pandals are exceptional work of art. The decoration of the pandals are no less, with use of lights and interesting artifacts, like one of the pandal was decorated with paper cups. Another interesting fact is that each pandal has a unique theme. The festival is considered incomplete without food. Pandal hopping gets more motivating with the presence of food stalls in and around these pandals. From Puchkas (Gol Guppa) to momos i tried everything.
Bengali's are known for their love for art and culture and Durga Puja is yet another occasion when you can see its manifestation in almost everything from the pandals to decorations, cultural evenings and of course ethnic dresses. People dress up to the occasion and look fantafabulous and gorgeous.
That fact that i belong to a different state never came in way of celebrations. That is what city does to you, it embraces each and everyone who comes into its fold and makes you feel special. The ending notes when Goddess Durga is immersed in the Ganga on the final day of the puja is "Aste Bochor Abar hobe" meaning next year it shall happen again.
Yes next year also i'll be definitley visiting Kolkata during puja. It was an heart warming experience seeing the magnitude of festivities in "City of Joy"
That fact that i belong to a different state never came in way of celebrations. That is what city does to you, it embraces each and everyone who comes into its fold and makes you feel special. The ending notes when Goddess Durga is immersed in the Ganga on the final day of the puja is "Aste Bochor Abar hobe" meaning next year it shall happen again.
Yes next year also i'll be definitley visiting Kolkata during puja. It was an heart warming experience seeing the magnitude of festivities in "City of Joy"
