Durga Puja is one of the biggest street carnivals in India, thanks to its popularity and amazing art of display. The city of Kolkata comes to a standstill while celebrating Durga Pujo which is hosted in more than 4500 pandals in the city. This year, Durga Puja will be celebrated from 7 October to 11 October and here are a few amazing things you should be doing.
The evening arti comprises of the famous Dhonuchi Naach where Dhonuchi, the earthen pots are filled with coconut fiber and is lit as an incense for a goddess. The importance of dhakis comes into existence when the Dhonuchi dance is performed by the devotees in front of the Ma. With a smoking mixture of camphor, incense, tinder and coconut husk, called 'dhuno', poured inside wide-brimmed clay pots, called 'dhunuchi', the devotee rests the pots in his hands and dance to the beats of dhakis in front of the goddess.
Not only Bengalis, but Kolkata wakes up to the sound of Dhaak. Dhakis are traditional drummers who play the dhak on the Durga Puja. These Dhaakis come from rural parts of Kolkata who work on different beats during Sandhi Pujo, aarti and bisarjan. Watching Dhaakis beating the drum with strength is purely phenomenal.
Massive pandals made with clothes on bamboo frames are the biggest attraction during Durga Puja. Over the years, Pandals are just not made for Durga Ma, but showcases an amazing art of display. If you happen to visit Kolkata few days before the Durga Pujo, you can see the pandals taking shape under the hands of experts. With more than 4500 Durga Ma and pandals in Kolkata, this artist has been doing the work for more than a year.
The pandals on the street adorn with lights and bulbs. You can see the illuminated panels glazing on the streets of Durga Pujo. These Illuminated panels come from Chandannagar, which is a hub of lights. People work on different lights which is needed in the festivals. Bulbs and a light piece from Chandannagar are not just limited to Durga Puja, it has gained world recognition for its work. Their work is extraordinary, including the light barge shaped like a peacock that was the centerpiece of the Thames Festival in London. Sponsored Durga Puja pandals create artificial waterfalls, spewing fire, dragons, flowers, artificial statues and much more. In the recent years, big Pandals concentrated on celebrating Durga Puja along with spreading awareness on an environment, AIDS, politics and much more.
It’s hard to find a Bengali who prefers having a meal at home during Durga Puja. Durga Pujo is all about eating mouth-watering dishes served in the stalls. Apart from Pujor Bhog, every pandal is famous for its all night food festival. From egg rolls to Kababas and biryani, Durga Puja has it all. If you are visiting Kolkata for Durga Puja, you can hog on these night food stalls along with enjoying the carnival.
Here’s a list of five restaurants serving the best puja fare.
1. 6 Ballygunge Place: Known for its thaalis.
House No. 6 Ballygunge Place Road, Ballygunge
2. Bhojohori Manna: Best for daab chingri and great fish cutlets.
18/1A, Hindustan Road
3. Kasturi: A Bangladeshi food place, the must-try here is the kochu paata chingri bhaapa (shrimp steamed with colocasia leaves and mustard paste).
13/6, Anil Moitra Road, Ballygunge
4. Bohemian: This place is well-known for their innovative twist on Bengali food.
32/4, Old Ballygunge 1st Lane, Ballygunge
5. ITC Sonar: Their puja buffet this year has tones of the Raj and British clubhouses – expect prawn cocktails, steak and kidney pie, chicken ala kiev and chicken stroganoff.
45/1A, JBS Haldane Avenue, Gobra
After culture, Bengali’s are known for their beauty and dressing culture. If you happen to visit Kolkata during Durga Puja, don’t forget to dress up in genuine Durga Puja threads. Opt wearing a quintessential tangail white saree with a gorgeous red border.
There are series of tradition and rituals followed at the pandals which starts from early morning pushpanjali. Pushpanjali is chanting prayers with flowers in hand which are then offered to the goddess. This is followed by Bhog in the noon. The evening rituals start with aarti and dhunuchi dance, a traditional dance done in front of god. On Dashami , which is the last day of the Durga Puja, married women bid goodbye to the goddess with the sindoor khela ritual.
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