Durga Puja in Kolkata – Maa, Mishti and Me

/ Kashish Mahtani

Kolkata is an emotion. Durga Puja is a sentiment. Put them together and you have a heady concoction of fervour and peace that will keep you elated all year round. Maybe that’s why it’s called the City of Joy. Maybe that’s why you can leave the city (except for that stubborn little piece of your heart that refuses to budge) but it will never leave you. Once you’re associated with Calcutta, it will keep calling you back and you will keep relenting.

I may not live there anymore but in my words, spoken and written, you will find the fragrance of Kolkata and the sweetness of Pujo. Here are a few short stories – or snippets, if you please – that you’ll relate to if you’re a Bengali, Calcuttan or both.

–

What gives you goosebumps?
“Horror stories!”
“Freezing winter mornings!”
“The dhaak announcing Her arrival. Maa eshe geche!”

–

“Pick one! The scent of Shiuli phool, dhunuchi or mishti?” he asked.
“The sweet fragrance of homecoming for Durga Pujo,” she smiled.

–

“No seats available on any flight,” she sighed. “Guess I can’t go home this year.”
“Booked your ticket beta, see you soon,” dad texted.

“Thanks, Durga Maa, I know that was you!”

–

“I want to travel the world. Make memories. Share heart-stirring stories! But where do I begin?”
“With experiencing Durga Pujo in Kolkata.”

–

“Name one experience that is heart-stirring and soul-soothing at the same time.”
“Durga Puja celebrations in Kolkata.”

–

Don’t take my word for it – head on over to the City of Joy to know why it earned its monicker!

This blog post is part of the blog challenge ‘Blogaberry Dazzle’ hosted by Cindy D’Silva and Noor Anand Chawla in collaboration with RRE Studios and ShowCase Events.

37 thoughts on “Durga Puja in Kolkata – Maa, Mishti and Me”

  7. I have heard a lot about the Durga Puja in Kolkata.I was there last year for one month but didn’t get to go out much due to Covid. So Durga Puja is high on my bucket list. I would just like to know how you navigate through the crowds? I am afraid of crowds.

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    • The crowds are difficult to navigate, to be honest. Pandal hopping is best done on foot because cars can be stuck in traffic for hours! Any effort is worth it in the end. Hope you get to visit soon once the pandemic alleviates!

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  9. Kolkota has been on my itenary since long and your post has just given me the much needed motivation. Im a fan of eveything Bengali, right from the authors, to actors to your sweets, Durga Puja has been on my mind since ive seen the movie ‘Kahaani’, will hopefully turn my dream of visiting the ‘City of Joy’ into reality soon.

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  14. Thoroughly enjoyed reading your snippets kashish, and your love for the pujo is so evident in each of those snippets, in each line n in each word. Even I have this wish to visit Calcutta during that time cuz although I am from WB, I have hardly seen the ‘city of joy’

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  15. I have visited Kolkata once but not during Durga Pooja. I want to visit it during the festival to experience the lights and pandals and enthusiasm and ambience. Your snippets of your memories are so sweet. We all have memories of our own hometown during such festivities which we cherish.

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