Five Must-Dos During Puja In Kolkata

The youngsters were chirping excitedly among themselves. School holidays had started and the excitement was palpable.

“So, which days are we meeting? Panchami or Shasthi? Let’s go to Bosepukur pandal first, then we’ll check out Jodhpur Park and Mudiali, what say?” Ravi offered.

“No, we will start with North pujo pandals first. What if we miss Baghbazaar, Chaltabagan or Simla Byayam Samiti?” This was Pallavi.

“Salt Lake pujas are the best. AJ, FD, BK, these are superhits. Let’s start from Salt Lake.” Amit insisted.

“No, how can you not start with Sreebhumi and Dumdum Park pandals? Those are winners every year!” Gurleen declared.

To an untrained ear, all this will seem like Greek and Latin. What are these youngsters so excited about? But ask a Calcuttan, and her face will break out in a broad grin. These are the “must-see” puja pandals on everyone’s list in the city’s Durga Pujo celebrations.

Kolkata, is gearing up for its biggest festival of the year – the grand DurgaPuja or the earthly visit of the Mother Goddess along with her children. More than religious significance or following of rituals, for Bengalis all over the world, Puja or Pujo signifies pandal visiting, flaunting the latest fashion, preening in your ethnic wear, and eating out to your heart’s content. The madness is to be seen to be believed.

The city metamorphosizes from a homely woman into a newly wedded bride during the festival days. Lights twinkling everywhere, people decked up in their best dresses, the hum of music and the beats of the dhaak (a traditional percussion instrument)! And the smiling, eager faces of people.

You know Durga Puja is here when there is:

1. The kaash phool (saccharum spontaneum) swaying in the light autumnal breeze (remember the iconic train scene from the Ray classic, Pather Panchali?)
2. The heady smell of Shiuli and Chhatim flowers in the air.
3. White fluffy clouds in the impossibly bright blue sky (interspersed with spells of torrential rain)
4. Buzzing and throbbing Kumartuli (our very own sculptors’ abode) where the beautiful idols are being sculpted into life
5. Bamboo poles and structures appearing overnight in street nooks and corners (that will magically transform into awe-inspiring pandals)
6. Swelling crowds in the streets, malls and at trusted shopping centres like Gariahat, Hathibagan and New Market. Stampedes in Sreeleathers (a popular store that specializes in budget-friendly shoes).

You see the world-weary faces bloom with anticipation and excitement for the upcoming carnival. The anticipation and the wait are just as enjoyable as the festival itself.

So here are the 5 must-do activities for you if you are lucky enough to be in Kolkata during this great festival:

1.Beg, borrow or steal, or buy some genuine ethnic stuff to deck yourself in. Stock up on all kinds of saris, particularly traditional ones that make women look like the goddess herself. This year, Bengali staples like Dhakai Jamdani, Tussar, Matka and Maslin rule as usual. If saris are not your thing, skirts, palazzos, kurtis, and fusion wear can do wonders.

2.Eat, eat and eat. Check out roadside “chowmein” stall, feast on chicken rolls, hog insane amounts of biryani, slurp ice cream till your throat is hoarse. Also, find the nearest Bengali cuisine restaurant and indulge in a lavish thali with luchi, chholar dal, fish fry, rice and prawn bhapa, et al. What’s puja revelry without pet-puja?

3.Do some good deed that genuinely manifests the puja spirit. Gift your neighbourhood street kids a set of new clothes. Donate to charities that do work for orphans and senior citizens, or better still, spend a day there volunteering. Visit that aunt of yours who stays alone and spend the day with her, reading to her or watching movies together. Treat your house staff well, don’t grudge them holidays during this festive time. Loosen up your
purse strings to include maximum beneficiaries, particularly the less privileged. Judge less, smile more, connect more.

4.Go pandal hopping all night. An all-nighter is a must on any of the puja days. If your feet aren’t aching with all the walking, and your eyes are not blurry with lack of sleep, then have you even enjoyed the puja? Spend all days at your para (neighbourhood) pandal, and check out the famous pandals with your gang all night. Kolkata at night-time during Durga Puja is a different fairyland altogether. Come back home at 6 in the morning, and crash straight into bed!

5.Do nothing, if that’s what you want to do. Your life, your rules. Just curl up in bed, and listen to the sounds of dhaak blaring on the microphone. Read your favourite puja collection of stories. Check out all the famous pujas online and do 360-degree virtual tours. Don’t step out of home. Order in, or cook or have lunch at para pandals. This is the time for ultimate “lyadh” (idleness). Slip away for a quick getaway to Digha or Tajpur, if the noise gets too much on your nerves.

Since the Durga Puja coincides with the Navratri festival, hop into one of the celebrations for some energetic dandiya and garba. Bring out those gorgeous chaniya cholis and stacks of bangles. After all, there’s nothing like too much fun, is there?

So, are you ready to dive into the glorious carnival? Bolo bolo Dugga elo….

Wishes for a Happy Navratri and Durga Puja!

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