Experiencing the Magic of Durga Puja in Kolkata: A Cultural Extravaganza

Introduction

Durga Puja, or simply Pujo for the initiated, is a celebration of the Goddess Durga. Also known as Durgotsav, it is a vibrant and electrifying ten-day festival celebrated across India, particularly in West Bengal. But there’s nowhere quite like Kolkata (formerly Calcutta) to experience the magic of Durga Puja. During this cultural extravaganza, immerse yourself in a dazzling spectacle of color, devotion, and community spirit.

As you explore Calcutta, you could also choose to understand why they said that the sun never sets on the British Empire and how they reached the peak of their prowess and made more than enough show of it. Hundreds of cultures made Calcutta its cosmopolitan self. Among the most prominent of them being Armenian, Jewish, Chinese, Islamic, Jain, Buddhist coupled with the old influence of the Portuguese, the Scottish, the Greek and so on. You will return not only having traced the impressions of the origins and remains of the varied above communities but also the Anglo-Indians, the Muslims, the Marwaris, the Biharis and many more that made this city a great melting pot of diverse cultures.

History and significance of Durga Puja

Durga Puja celebrates the victory of Goddess Durga over the demon Mahishasura, symbolizing the triumph of good over evil. The festival’s rich history stretches back centuries, deeply embedded in Bengali culture. Witnessing Durga Puja is a chance to connect with this fascinating tradition, and show why the festival is celebrated.

The core of the festival is located within the brilliantly and colorfully adorned idols or mandaps which are built in every area during the festival. Every area is made to become one with the natural beautifying decorations, which are all centered on exquisitely wrought pandals, the inspiration for which is sculptures and light shows.

Major attractions during Durga Puja

Bengalis are a passionate lot. They love their shongeet (music), their dhutis (dhotis) and shaaris (saris), and perhaps most of all, their khaabar (food). Once a year, it all comes together deliciously in a celebration so unmissable that people of all communities gladly line up for a taste. But one visit to a pandal will tell you it is so much more than that. It is a coming together of communities over their favourite deity. It is a display of eclectic sartorial taste. It is a showcase of some of their finest music and musicians. And yes, it is a smorgasbord of their finest food. In Kolkata, the Durga idols are works of art and are often set in tableaux that mirror current events like politics, the environment, and even sport.

This tour will take you on a ride that most Calcuttans do throughout the festive Puja days. Popularly known as Pandal Hopping we will take you through some of the most popular Barowari (community) pujas. The creativity and energy that these installations are made with are breathtaking and is the only kind of display in the world that is so transient.

In this tour we will sail to different ghats. Cruising leisurely for about three hours. There are quite a few ghats in between and we get to witness quite a few bhashans (immersions) in the process. It’s an experience to be on the river and watching Durga in all sizes, shapes and colours being ceremonially offered to the river. It’s a feeling of mixed emotions for the Bengali to watch his beloved Goddess go but hope that she will be happy with her husband and will return again next year makes them send her with good wishes. We will have snacks, tea, bottled water and an interesting explorer on board of the cruise.

While the year moves on, you might see some of the more noteworthy events through which the Durga Puja seizes the time by using such moment-making events like Puja Pandal and the grand immersion ceremony (Visarjan) that is the final stage of the grand processions. It’s a feeling of mixed emotions for the Bengali to watch his beloved Goddess go but hope that she will be happy with her husband and will return again next year makes them send her with good wishes.

Community Involvement

Durga Puja is a testament to the strong community spirit of Kolkata. Witness the tireless efforts of residents who volunteer their time and resources to create and maintain the pandals, fostering a sense of togetherness.  The streets come alive with a sense of camaraderie as communities collaborate to make Durga Puja a truly special event.

Durga Puja in Kolkata is a unique and unforgettable experience in itself. Witness this wonderful festival’s various cultural activities, the captivating customs, and the happy atmosphere. This Breakaway lets you enjoy the magic of Durga Puja yourself!

Besides that, Hooghly, a distributary of the Ganges is integral to the very identity of Bengal. It gives and sustains life for the millions that depend on it. From the wrestlers who exercise on its soft clay to the boatmen who ferry people across, from the flower sellers who need the water to keep their produce fresh to the boys who throw magnets and retrieve coin offerings from its bed.

Join in exploring this visual, aural and olfactory riot from the flower bazaar to the clay idol makers’ den, Kumartulli, from the Howrah Bridge to the cremation ghats – it’s the buzz of life.

Walk through the long forgotten lanes of North Calcutta admiring not only the palatial buildings of a bygone era and the traditional idols of goddess Durga and her family but also getting educated on the culture, politics and society of the erstwhile Bengali gentry, landowners and merchants of Calcutta. The walking element of the tour really heightens the entire experience as it allows you to sample a slice of life as it would have existed back in the day through the fluent narrative presented by the storyteller.

In this walk you will go through some of the traditional Bengali home Pujas, aka Bonedi  which have been going on for decades if not centuries. The area was earmarked by the British as the Black Town and still retains most of its old world charm. A walk through the locality will not only give you the many different traditional homes that do the Puja but also give you an idea on the quintessential Bengali para (locality) experience.
You will end this tour with a traditional Bengali bhog ( offerings to God) at Calcutta Bungalow.

Conclusion

Come back, witnessing the coming together of communities over their favourite deity Ma Durga and the display of eclectic sartorial taste. An experience savouring some of their finest music and musicians. And yes, a smorgasbord of their finest food.

So come celebrate Durga Puja in Kolkata—this sublime celebration will stay in your senses. Come Breakaway…