Durga Puja, Navratri 2022: Come September 26 and the 10-day competition of Navratri and Dusshera begins throughout India. In the japanese states of India, the competition is extra popularly celebrated as Durga Puja. West Bengal and particularly its capital Kolkata are well-known for the large-scale, opulent pujas that appeal to individuals from everywhere in the nation. And not simply within the nation, however even globally, Kolkata’s Durga puja pandals and the celebrations are well-known. In recognition of this, in 2021, UNESCO recognised ‘Durga Puja in Kolkata’ and it was inscribed in its Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
This is unquestionably an expertise to be savoured and planning a visit to Kolkata during the pujas can lead to a memorable expertise. Gorging on yummy meals, praying to Goddess Durga, pandal hopping, and loving each little bit of the festivities – that is the essence of Durga puja!
Here are 5 things to do while you visit Kolkata during Durga puja:
1) Go for pandal hopping
This is however apparent and an important a part of your puja expertise! Yes, there will likely be crowds and it’ll most definitely be sizzling and humid, however pandal hopping is a should while you visit Kolkata during Puja. Wear comfy sneakers since you may need to stroll lengthy distances and stand in a queue to get a darshan of the idols and the magnificent pandals.
Tip: If you need to keep away from the group, strive early morning visits. You may even begin at 4 am. Yes, town does not sleep for these 5-6 days!
2) Taste of ‘Bonedi bari’ puja (Old household pujas)
This is how the outdated households of aristocratic households have fun the puja and it is a factor not to be missed. Unlike the commercialisations and improvements of the glamorous and glitzy pujas of the well-known pandals, these aristocratic households proceed with their century-old traditions and have fun Goddess Durga. There are some 200 odd such households in Kolkata and plenty of comply with distinctive customs.
Tip: If you need to visit the oldest family Pujo, head to South Kolkata’s Barisha. The puja of Sabarna Roy Choudhury household reportedly dates again to 1610. Some different well-known bonedi bari puja embody these at Sovabazar Rajbari, Jorasanko Daw Bari, Laha Bari, Rani Rashmoni Bari amongst others.
3) Eat, eat and eat some extra!
Durga Puja is greater than a puja, it is a celebration of a lifestyle, a coming collectively of individuals slicing all obstacles of sophistication, caste and even faith. For the bhojan-rasik (food-loving) Bengalis, no celebration is full with out nice meals. From avenue meals, and sweets to consuming out on the metropolis’s well-known restros, the times of puja are a gastronomic delight for the individuals of the City of Joy. So in case you are visiting the place during puja, take part and savour the attractive flavours town has to provide. Unlike common perceptions, there are tonnes of choices for vegetarians too!
Tip: Don’t miss out on puchka (their tackle the gol gappa or pani puri), jhal muri (puffed rice with particular spices) and the well-known Kolkata roll! But the record is limitless and you’ll select from a variety of choices.
4) The wonderous lights
The entire metropolis lights up and there are distinctive gentle installations throughout town. Not simply the pandals and pujas, watching this light-play in itself is a wonderful expertise.
5) Take half in Dashami festivities
Bollywood may need over-glamourised the purple and white sari look on Vijay Dashami (Dusshera), however, the day when Bengalis bid goodbye to Ma Durga, is an expertise to be lived.
Durga Puja 2022: 20 well-known pandals to visit in Kolkata
Here are some well-known pandals to visit in Kolkata. Do a Google search, get the handle and be prepared to be part of within the enjoyable!
– Santosh Mitra Square
– College Square
– (*20*) Cultural Association Puja Pandal
– Kumartuli Park
– Ahiritola Sarbojanin Durgotsav
– Telengabagan Sarbojanin Durgotsab
– Dum Dum Park, Tarun Sangha
– Lake Town Adhibasi Brinda
– Babubagan Club Sarbojanin Durga Puja
– Badamtala Ashar Sangha
– Suruchi Sangha
– Jodhpur Park Puja Pandal
– Sreebhumi, Lake Town
– Bosepukur Sitala Mandir
– Ekdalia Evergreen Club
– Singhi Park Sarbojanin Durgotsab
– Mudiali Club
– Mohammad Ali Park Durga Puja
– Naktala Udayan Sangha Puja
– Maddox Square
Durga Puja 2022: Things to keep in mind in Kolkata
If you’re visiting Kolkata during the puja, do not forget that town will likely be crowded. But that needn’t be an obstacle, that is the entire goal of a competition. Being in a rush will not work during these 5 days – from full eating places to visitors on avenue, you want to do not forget that overlaying 10 completely different locations might not be attainable during this time.
