Evolving landscapes of Durga Puja in Kolkata
After Durga Puja, the Bengali community resumes work with mixed emotions. While eagerly anticipating the next year with the melodious chants of ashchhe bochhor abar hobe, let's take a look at the evolving landscape of Durga Puja in Kolkata. While UNESCO's 2021 inscription increased the festival's appeal and enhanced the evolution of theme-based pandals, residents remain vexed by the surging crowds and traffic problems.
Rise of household Durga Pujas
People from all over the world come to Kolkata to experience the grandeur of Durga Puja. However, not everyone is a pro at wading through thick crowds in a humid environment brimming over with excited pandal hoppers. Cultural enthusiasts often opt for an intimate festival experience through direct invitations to household Durga Pujas, Bonedi Bari Durga Pujas in ancestral homes, or rural celebrations.
Gain cultural insights
Many in Kolkata now prefer lunch dates and "adda" over exhausting pandal hopping due to the crowds and traffic. If you wish to soak in the festivities next year, consider attending a household Durga Puja which is more intimate, without the extravagance of big pandals, long queues, or pushy volunteers. You can participate in rituals, attend anjali and cultural functions, and gain cultural insights.
Sarbamangala at Kapur Villa
After enjoying a satisfying Pujo at Kapur Villa this year, I recommend revisiting the focus on cultural exchange. Kapur Villa, near Gurusaday Road, is not the typical centuries-old Bonedi Bari hosting Durga Puja, but it exudes a unique charm. Hosts Oiendrila Ray Kapur, Gagan Kapur, and Kounteya Sinha named the event "Sarbamangala," infusing it with a broader sense of universal well-being beyond Shakti worship.
Explore rural Bengal's Durga Puja
To have a similar experience next year, consider exploring rural Bengal's Durga Puja or attending a household Pujo. Various tourism organizations offer special Durga Puja packages, allowing tourists to immerse themselves in pujas across the city and its suburbs. Dedicated Bonedi Bari puja parikrama packages are also available. Some notable pujas include Dhanyakuria Gaine Rajbari's Durga Puja, Serampore Rajbari, Sheoraphuli Rajbari, and Bansberia Sajibari.
Durga Puja 2024 is 349 days away!
To start planning for your next Pujo consider befriending someone who hosts the festival at home. After all, Durga Puja 2024 is just 349 days away! Festivities begin on Mahashashti, October 9, 2024.
