By Neha Mehrotra
It’s that time of the year when the city of Kolkata comes alive with chants of ‘pujo pujo gondho’ (which translates to the fragrance of puja in the air). Durga Puja is more than a religious festival; it is a celebration of life and the joy of living, which is an expression of the city itself.
As someone who grew up in the ‘City of Joy,’ it won’t entirely be an exaggeration to say that the city is currently reverberating with the therapeutic sounds of dhaak (the sound of a traditional drum) and the echo of conch shells, which is no less than a divine feeling. The pujas are indeed the best time to visit Kolkata. Walking down the by-lanes and into every nook and corner, you slowly start feeling the pulse of the city. With thousands of beautifully adorned ‘pandals’ lining the streets, delectable Bengali dishes on every corner, and women in vibrant ‘laal paar’ saris, the city never sleeps, and its people rejoice all night. The festivities kick off a week in advance, and if you’re considering a visit to Kolkata, here’s a guide to help you plan your trip. Take a look.
Where to Stay
To fully savour the five-day celebration, your first step should be securing comfortable accommodation, providing you with a peaceful retreat from the hustle and bustle.
JW Marriott Kolkata
To honour the spirit of Puja, JW Marriott Kolkata is offering a luxurious JW Celebration staycation, ‘The Maa Durga’s Griffin Odyssey,’ from October 20th to 24th. The package includes a buffet breakfast at JW Kitchen and access to the ‘Durga Puja Mahabhoj.’ You can also indulge in rejuvenating spa services to ensure a complete revitalisation of your body, mind, and spirit.
Fairfield by Marriott Kolkata
Fairfield by Marriott Kolkata invites you to a delightful Pujo staycation. The package includes a scrumptious breakfast and a delectable Durga Pujo meal for two with captivating Pujo Pandal visits (subject to availability). Don’t forget to indulge at the Pujor Bari Feast and taste authentic Bengali dishes and sweets like ‘Posto Murgi’, ‘Mutton Dak Bungalow’, ‘Potoler Dolma’, ‘Baked Roshogolla’, ‘Rosh Mallai’, ‘Mishtidoi’, and ‘Sandesh’.
The Westin Kolkata, Rajarhat
Experience a lavish 5-day celebration featuring a 5-star Pujo Mandap alongside an opulent staycation at The Westin Kolkata Rajarhat, where you can indulge in the ‘Pujor Mahabhoj’, a tribute to Kolkata’s iconic street food. Make use of their 24-hour WestinWORKOUT® Fitness Studio, take a dip in the outdoor pool, and pamper yourself with a rejuvenating treatment at the Heavenly Spa. The rooms and suites boast some of the city’s most spacious accommodations, along with inspiring views and modern amenities.
What to Eat
From the bhog in pandals to the street stalls set up to serve delectable dishes like ‘jhaalmuri’, ‘phuchka’, egg rolls, biryani, ‘kobiraji’, and ‘Mughlai parota’, you are welcome to feast on anything and everything. For Bengali puja platters, head out to Oh Calcutta, 6 Ballygunge Place (all have several outlets in Kolkata). For Kolkata rolls, biryani, and kebabs, the popular places are Nizams and Shiraz in Park Circus and Oudh 1590 (multiple outlets). Head to Tangra (the old Chinatown), where you can find numerous outlets serving authentic Chinese delicacies.
Don’t forget to indulge in Monkey Bar’s Pandals of Chinatown menu, which adds a festive twist to their offerings. The special Pujo menu blends Bengali celebrations with global Chinatown flavours, featuring dishes like Dragon Chicken, Hot Basil Wings, Salt and Pepper Squid, Singapore Chilli Prawns, Vegetable 99, Crispy Kale, and more. Food-hopping is incomplete in Kolkata without indulging in sweets. Head to Girish Chandra Dey and Nakul Chandra Nandy for the ‘Sandesh’ and KC Das for the ‘rosogolla’.
What to do
Durga Puja is incomplete without pandal hopping at any time of the day or night. Famous puja places like Maddox Square (Lansdowne Road), 66 Palli, Badamtala Ashar Sangha, and iconic puja pandals at Gariahat are easily accessible. You should check out other well-known pujas like Ballygunge Cultural and Durgabari, which are famous for their old-world charm. You can also visit the top pujas in North Kolkata, like Mohd. Ali Park, College Square, Ahiritola, Beniatola, Bagbazar Sarbojanin, and more.
Consider taking the recently introduced Puja Special Tram, which travels along the tracks on the tram route 24/29, that is, from Tollygunge to Ballygunge, covering all areas recognised for having popular Durga Puja pandals.
On Dashami, embrace the immersion ceremony in the Hooghly River. People gather along the procession routes to bid farewell to the goddess. You can also take a boat from the riverbank to offer your farewell. Don’t miss the ‘sindoor khela’ ritual during the immersion procession, where married women, dressed in traditional ‘laal paar’ saris, apply vermilion from the deity’s feet to their foreheads and smear it on each other’s foreheads.
