Why should you visit Kolkata during Durga Puja?

There’s no better place than the city of joy during the festival of Durga Puja. Being the largest festival for Bengalis, it worships Maa Shakti, Durga and celebrates the victory of Maa Durga over Mahishasura. The festivities last for 10 days in total, starting from Mahalaya, to the days of Sashthi, Saptami, Ashtami, Navami and Bijoya Dashami, but the preparations commence months in advance. It’s the time to bond with your friends and family, wear colorful new clothes and gorge on some mouth-watering Bengali delicacies.

On the first of the 10 days i.e. Mahalaya, the Goddess is invited on earth and the auspicious ritual of Chokku Daan takes place. Visit Kumortuli or the potter’s town where the beautiful idols are hand crafted and adorned. On the first day, they paint the eye of the Goddess which infuses the godlike look. The narrow lanes of this small town is lined with decorations, accessories and ornaments.

The bejeweled idols are then brought into the intricately decorated pandals. Showered with flowers, fine clothes and jewellery, the Goddess is offered various sweets, flowers and other offerings.

The dhak (a traditional drum in Bengal) is a vital part of the Durga Puja festivities. The celebrations are marked with people performing the traditional dance to the beat of the traditional drums.

One of the biggest highlight of Durga Puka is going pandal hopping with your family and friends. You can visit the different displays or pandals of Goddess Durga, each decorated in their own unique way. Some of the most popular pandals can be found in North Kolkata like the Ahiritola Sarbojanin puja. These pandals exist in a cluster thus, making it easy to hop from one pandal to the other. Devour some of the best and authentic dishes the city has to offer and be prepared for a fulfilling experience!

The end of the festivities, known as Dashtmi is marked by married women placing the sindoor on the idols of Goddess Durga, followed by them then smearing it on each other. By the evening the idols are immersed in water at the ghats along the river.

All in all, the fervor and excitement in the city is unimaginable! This is definitely the best time to visit Kolkata. Book your flight to Kolkata today to have a one of a kind experience.