For those who are living in a foreign land but whose heart dwells in the city, Durga Puja is the time to visit the city and cherish the biggest festival. To experience Durga Puja in Kolkata, the ideal time to visit the city is a week before the festivities begin. That is when the final touches are given to the idols and the pandals are adorably decorated. It is a lifetime experience for those who are going to witness it for the first time. It is a good idea to mark your dates beforehand and plan your visit right before the Puja begins. But if you are short on leave and cannot plan a big trip, you can join in the festivities directly and be a part of the week-long celebration. Here is a list of things you can do if you are planning to visit Kolkata during Durga Pujas:
- Pandal Hopping
- Shopping
- Wearing Traditional
- Relish Bengali Food
- Witness Immersion of Durga Idols
To begin with, the best way to indulge in the festivities has to be to take a city tour by visiting the pandals and going for pandal hopping. Different clubs, organizations, and institutions arrange for city tours during the time of Durga Puja. They take the tourists for pandal hopping, give an insight into what’s around the city, and share facts about the rich culture and heritage of Kolkata. If you can manage to visit the city before the puja starts, then you can explore the lanes of Kumartuli to experience the making of idols or the last finishing touches by the idol makers. Pandal hopping is a major highlight of the city especially during Durga Puja. Several famous pandals are adorned with a particular theme and people from all around the world gather in numbers to visit them. If you are looking for pandals to visit in the city, the article on pandal hopping can guide you.
No matter during which time of the year you are visiting Kolkata, you should not plan your itinerary without keeping a day for shopping. Shopping from the locals or going for street shopping has its charm. There are many famous places in north and south Kolkata that are known for selling apparel, bags, shoes, and others. Kolkata is famous for its jute handmade goods, tea, terracotta, and sarees - so you can even pick gifts for your loved ones living in a foreign land. These are quite affordable and its amazing collection makes one go crazy. So plan a day for shopping with your friends and family and pick whatever soothes your eye and fits your choice. There's a detailed article on the shopping hubs of Kolkata which you can go through for your help.
No matter what one should not let go of the opportunity of wearing traditional during the Durga Pujas. The beauty of wearing a new saree or a dhoti-kurta for men reflects the culture and tradition of Bengal. It has a special feeling and girls love to wear sarees, especially on the day of Ashthami during Anjali. There is also a tradition of white sarees with beautiful red borders which is a favorite among mothers. So while going shopping, you can keep in mind to buy a traditional outfit and plan to wear it during pujas. If you want to check more on wearing Indian wear then read our article for more.
What are festivals without food? Especially when you are in Kolkata, you can enjoy street food. Starting from phuchka to rolls, kochuri to eggplant fritters, and other delicious food items, the craving for food is endless. Even when you are out for pandal hopping, you can enjoy the snacks on the go. Many Bengali restaurants offer various thalis which include authentic Bengali delicacies that are famous among people. The pandals also offer bhog during the puja days and these are served to the visitors. These are some of the things that one can enjoy and cherish once they visit the city during Durga Puja.
Last but not least, the immersion of Durga idols is something that one wouldn’t want to miss. There are big processions arranged by the clubs and the authorities on the last day of puja, i.e., Dashami. The married women play with vermillion or sindur and smear it on each other. This is an age-old tradition that is also referred to as “sindur khela”. In the evening, the idols are immersed in the water and one can witness the moment by visiting the ghats or even participate in the procession itself. People dance their hearts out while dressing up in new clothes and enjoy themselves wholeheartedly. If you want to know about it, you can read the article on the immersion of Durga idols that will help you in a better way.
Thus, one should not miss out on the opportunity to celebrate the pujas and cherish the few days of festivity. There is a lot that takes place so to witness that it's ideal to book the tickets early during the Durga pujas. Mark your dates and get ready to experience the maddening festivity!
