Durga Puja in Kolkata: experience the divine

Durga Puja in Kolkata:
experience the divine

Durga Puja in Kolkata: experience the divine

Festivals in India are as varied as the populace, which is why you may sometimes see Indians getting ready for a party. Each festival in India is accompanied by a lively atmosphere. The worship of Goddess Durga is one example of a fortunate event in India. One of the most vibrant and welcoming celebrations in India is this one. The festival, which is also known as Durgautsava, takes place over nine days before the Dussehra.

The triumph of the goddess Durga in her struggle against the cunning, shape-shifting buffalo demon Mahishasura is commemorated by Durga Puja. As a result, the festival is a perfect representation of the triumph of good over evil. The Hindu Goddess Durga’s victory over the deceptive and shapeshifting buffalo asura (demon) Mahishasura is commemorated during Durga Puja.

The festival is celebrated all throughout the nation, but Kolkata, the city of joy, celebrates it in the most exquisite and magnificent way. The entire city is covered in the joyful spirit of the festival. Because Kolkata is the city of Bengalis and the Goddess Durga is especially revered by Bengalis, this festival is unique to the city.

The Durga Puja festival in Kolkata is a celestial experience, and you will be completely absorbed in its atmosphere regardless of your religion or background.

Ideally, you should be in Kolkata at least a week prior to the start of the celebration in order to fully experience the city’s Durga Puja. This allows you to explore the city and observe the start of the celebrations. There are many other ways to enjoy it throughout the night if that’s not possible.

During Kolkata’s Durga Puja festival, you may enjoy some of the city’s finest experiences.

Catch potters create magic

The idols of Goddess Durga in Kolkata are made with great love and devotion, and the outcome is so beautiful that just a glimpse at them may captivate you. And you will appreciate them all the more if you see the effort that goes into making them. Because there is an entire section of Kolkata devoted to the art of idol creation, it is easy to accomplish there. Kumartulli, which is around 30 minutes drive from the heart of Kolkata, is in the city’s northern region.

As the name would imply, “potter’s place” was the area where a community of potters first established themselves. At this point, there are approximately 150 potter families residing there. The eyes painted on the sculptures in the auspicious ceremony known as Chokkhu Daan may be seen if you go there during Mahalaya, which is around a week before the start of Durga Puja.

Witness Kola Bou Bath

The Dugra Puja begins when the divine presence of Goddess Durga is invoked into the idols. The rituals commence early in the morning, prior to dawn. The Hooghly River is where a banana tree is first bathed. In order to carry the goddess’s energy, the banana tree is decked out in a sari like a new bride (known as the “Kola Bou”, the banana bride). The greatest locations to witness the ceremony are the Prinsep and Ahiritola ghats, as well as Bagh Bazar.

Added divine experience: Bonedi Puja

Although the government Durga pujas in Kolkata are often the main attraction, the traditional Bonedi Bari pujas in the city’s grand old private homes are also worth seeing. The homes are owned by affluent aristocratic zamindar (landowner) families who have been performing pujas for centuries. They extended to other important towns in Bengal as well as Kolkata. Two of the most well-known are Rani Rashmoni Bari and Sovabazar Raj Bari in Kolkata’s northern district.

Witness worship in many forms

The Kumari Puja is another significant ritual that’s performed during the Durga Puja festival. During the festival, Goddess Durga is worshiped in various forms. In this ritual, she’s worshiped the form of an innocent young unmarried virgin girl. This serves as a reminder that the goddess and her energy are omnipresent in all beings.

You can’t skip pandal hopping

Without a doubt, seeing the various Durga Puja exhibitions (pandals), each with its own theme or aesthetic approach, is the highlight of the event. “Pandal hopping” is the name of this popular pastime. Since Kolkata has thousands of pandals, you can only see a small percentage of them, and even then, you need to plan your route because they are dispersed throughout the city. The metro railway offers easy access to the most well-known ones, which are located in Kolkata’s northern and southern regions. When they are illuminated at night, pandal hopping is at its busiest. You may stay out of the crowds if you go during the day.

Immerse yourself in the divine dance

The devout Dhunuchi folk dance is traditionally done in front of the goddess Durga to appease her following the evening ceremonies on Ashtami. This is accomplished by keeping a clay jar containing burning coconut husk and camphor. The tempo of the drummers’ rhythms varies as they guide the dancers. The air is filled with smoke, music, and rhythm. It’s incredibly thrilling and alluring! Both men and women took part in the traditional dance. Because of the dance’s increasing popularity, competitions are now being held.

Gobble on everything delicious

Durga Puja is the perfect occasion to try Kolkata’s well-known Bengali food. Meat is considered essential for a complete festival experience. You may find a wide variety of them in several locations, including Bengali restaurants, pandals, and on the streets. Since going from one pandal to another would be exhausting, it is essential to eat while on the road. The tourists in the pandals are served bhog, which are offerings to the deity that are shared. It often includes chutney, a fried item, a sweet meal, and mixed vegetable curry. Bengali eateries in Kolkata offer unique Durga Puja menus featuring authentic delights, both buffet and a la carte. Bengal sweets are consumed with a great deal of enthusiasm and zeal.

A cherishable ending

The celebration begins on Dashami, the last day of Durga Puja, when married women apply red sindoor (powder) to the idols of Goddess Durga. After that, they rub it all over one another. The idols are submerged in the water in the evening. Although you may see the action at any of the river’s ghats, one of the most well-liked immersion points is Babu Ghat, which is located in the middle of Eden Garden. As the Durga idols are brought in procession to the ghats, you can either go to Red Road and listen to the devotees shout, “Aasche bochor abar hobe! ” (It’ll happen again next year! ).