By Nandani Sharma
In Bengal, Durga isn’t just worshipped – she is welcomed like a daughter returning home. streets bloom with lights, dhak drums echo in every lane, and the entire region seems to inhale joy and exhale devotion. Whether you believe in goddesses or not, Durga Puja will stir something inside you. Held every autumn, it is not just a festival, it is a feeling.
What is Durga Puja?
Durga Puja celebrates the victory of Goddess Durga over Mahishasura – the buffalo demon – a triumph of good over evil. But in Bengal, it’s also about:
- Family reunions
- Cultural performances
- Community feasting
- Artistic expression through awe-inspiring pandals (temple tents)
It’s a five-day celebration, with Maha Saptami to Vijayadashami being the most eventful days.
Dates for 2025 – October 1 – October 5 (based on the lunar calendar)
The Pandals: Where Art Meets Faith
Every street corner in Kolkata seems to turn into an art gallery. Over 3000 pandals pop up – some traditional, some wildly creative. Each pandal tells a different story, with themes ranging from mythology to social commentary.
Must visit pandals in Kolkata:
- Bagbazar – Oldest and most traditional
- Kumartuli Park – where the idols are made by hand
- Santosh Mitra Square – known for majestic grandeur
- Sreebhumi – Always a crowd puller with film set like décor
- College Square – Beautifully lit beside the lake
Pro tip: visit by the night for full effect – the lighting alone feels like magic.
It’s Not Just Religious – It’s Cultural
- You can watch Dhunuchi naach – a traditional dance with incense burners
- Eat bhog – sacred food offered to the goddess, then served to the devotees
- Enjoy Rabindra Sangeet, drama performances, and dance shows
- Shop till midnight at local markets
Beyond Kolkata
While Kolkata is the epicenter, other towns like Shantiniketan, Howrah, Siliguri and Barasat also offer stunning Durga Puja experiences – often with fewer crowds and more intimacy.
Celebrate with Aryavrit Travels
Navigating Durga Puja can be overwhelming – the crowds, the routes, the hidden gems. Let Aryavrit Travels plan your cultural immersion. Our festival – special services include:
- Pandal hopping tours with private cars and experienced local drivers
- Escort guides who explain myths, art style and rituals
- Hotel bookings near main puja zones
- Arrival and departure assistance at Kolkata airport or station
- Concierge add Ons like saree draping sessions, Bengali food tastings, or photography tours
Durga Puja isn’t just seen – it is felt in goosebumps, in the rhythm of dhaks, in the scent of shiuli flowers, in the shimmer of sarees, and in the tears of farewell on Dashmi.
Let Aryavrit Travels take you to the heart of Bengal, where divinity wears red and gold, and joy had a thousand faces.
