How to celebrate this festive season of Durga Puja in Kolkata?

Durga Puja is the most celebrated festival of Bengal and more precisely the grandest celebrations take place in Kolkata. Tourists from all over the world visit Kolkata to witness Puja pandals in numbers during this time. So if you’re planning to visit Kolkata on the occasion of Durga Puja then it is advisable to come to the ‘City of Joy’ one week prior to the scheduled start of this five days long extravaganza.

KUMARTULI THE 'POTTERS LAND':

While Mahalaya sets the tone of the celebrations, but your visit can well start from 'Kumartuli' (a place between Sovabazar and Bagbazar Ghat) formerly known as 'Potter's Land'. You would be amazed to see the dedicated number of potters and artisans family working non-stop to bring the clay idols to life. Most of the traditional idols for Kolkata, Bengal and abroad are delivered from this place.

It is a mesmerizing feeling, watching the artisans bringing Devi Durga to life with every passing day till the time when organizers of the puja committees brings the idols to the respective pandals. To get the best shots you may purchase Daily/Weekly/Seasonal tickets, all are available in KUMARTULI.

PLANNING, SCHEDULING  &  PANDAL HOPPING:

The scale of celebrations is only apparent once you hit the roads and therefore it is advisable to have an advanced route planning. Some of the notable pujas are listed below: If you're planning to start from North-Kolkata then "Bagbazar Sarbojonin" would be the appropriate choice followed by "Kumartuli Park". "Kumartuli Sarbojonin", "Aahiritola Sarbojonin" "Kashi Bose Lane", "Hatibagan Sarbojonin", "Nalin Sarkar Street", "Telengabagan", "Karbagan", "Dumdum Park Tarun Sangha", Bharat Chakra, Laketown Adhibashibrindo etc. In Central Md. Ali park, Santosh Mitra & College square Square must be in your wishlist.

There are several famous & popular pujas held in South-Kolkata among which the notable ones remain 'Suruchi Sangha' in New Alipore, 'Mudiali Club' & 'Shiv Mandir' in Tollygunge, 'Badamtala Ashar Sangha' in Kalighat, 'Deshapriya Park' in Rashbehari, 'Bosepukur Sitalamandir' & 'Bosepukur Talbagan' in Kasba, Jodhpur Park etc. brings the maximum crowds into their strides.

Salt Lake is another destination where Durga Puja is becoming popular in every passing years.To name a few 'FD block', 'GD block' pujas are equally bringing the crowds. There are many pandals which may not be in the above list would you might be pleasantly surprised once you visit them.

Travelling within the city during the pujas is always a challenge when millions are already on the roads, but if you have the spirit it is advisable to avail public transport namely subway to travel within the city and suburban trains if you are staying in the Kolkata suburbs. But a word of caution would not be inappropriate to be particularly careful during the late hours.

DHAKIS & DRUMS:

If you have particular liking for the Drums then Sealdah station is one place where you can visit on the day of Panchami Morning. The visuals would be amazing! You can find more than five-thousand 'Dhakis' are dancing to the beat of their drums. It will surely be a lifetime experience.

BONEDI BARIR PUJA:

Pandal hopping doesn't make you feel completely satisfied unless you'll visit some of the years old "Bonedi Barir Puja" which have their history, culture, rituals, Traditionality. Let's make it start from "Sovabazar Rajbari", it is believed that Godess Durga comes to listenting to the songs of this house.

Next is the famous DAW's house puja where it's believed that Durga comes here to wear the jewellery.

There is Rani Rashmoni's Puja at Janbazar, Halder's puja in Bagbazar, Chatu Babu Latu Babu's puja, Balaram De street's Mitra & Ghosh barir puja, Saborno Roy chowdhury's 'AAT CHALA'puja, Pathuriaghata's Khelat Chandra Ghosh's puja & many more. Visiting all such famous Pujas of the families will reconnect you to the origin of it's glory.

KUMARI PUJA IN BELUR MATH:

Visiting the Belur Math on 'MAHASHTAMI' Morning to witness Kumari Puja will be an unforgettable experience. It worships the little girls in the form of Devi Durga & devotees offer their prayers to them, although the Math performs the Puja to a traditional 'EKCHALA IDOL' too.

MAHASTHAMI ANJALI- BHOG- DHUNUCHI NACH:

Offering prayers on the Mahastami Morning to Goddess Durga is a foremost important task to do. Men are usually dressed in Punjabi, Pajama/Jeans & Women wear the sarees on this occasion. During the afternoon in everywhere BHOG which is prepared for DURGA is distributed and one & everyone take participate in it. In the evenings people are participating in DHUNUCHI NACH in front of goddess Durga while the dhakis are playing their drums- the sight is equally make you thrilled.

VIJAYADASAMI & VHASHAN:

Vijayadashami is the last day of the festival when Maa Durga is returning to her Husband's (Shiv) home to Kailash from her ancestral home.

Married women gives 'sindoor daan' to devi Durga as well as they give it to each others as a symbol of their fertility & strength.Immersion takes place in several ghats, but We suggest you to visit 'Babughat'. It's the best place to capture the immersion moments at its best.

Above all these things there's plenty to do during your Kolkata visit in Durga Puja. Catch the dazzling lightings, savour the taste of various delicious foods, interact with the various people, listen to the puja songs, read out the puja barshikis and magazine's & above all participate in the "ADDA".