On Dussehra today, celebs look back fondly on some of their best childhood memories of celebrating Durga Puja with their families.
Saswata Chatterjee
There are millions of people on the streets of Kolkata now! It wasn’t like this while I was growing up.My childhood memories include going out with friends to binge on junk food, basis our budgets. On days when we had a lot to spend, we’d have Chinese food, too! My family used to organise Durga Puja and would take care of everything, from the chanda bills to the immersion.
Bidita Bag
I am from Howrah (West Bengal) and we used to go to our buaji’s house in Kolkata for Durga Puja. That journey used to be really beautiful, especially when we travelled by train. We would see white-coloured kash phool (wild sugarcane flowers) which are prevalent in West Bengal, Jharkhand and Odisha. You don’t get to see them in the northern parts as much. It is very symbolic, because when you see those flowers, it means Durga Puja is coming.
Abhishek Banerjee
My fond memory is that we would go out with our extended family to different pandals. Durga Puja was also about giving each other gifts — that used to be the highlight. We would also bring different clothes for each of the days. I even did one of my first ever plays at Durga Puja, where I played the narrator.
Onir
{{/usCountry}}My fond memory is that we would go out with our extended family to different pandals. Durga Puja was also about giving each other gifts — that used to be the highlight. We would also bring different clothes for each of the days. I even did one of my first ever plays at Durga Puja, where I played the narrator.
Onir
{{/usCountry}}I lost my dad in August this year, but I have so many fond memories [with him]. He would wake us up at 4.30 in the morning, then make tea for everyone. Dad was an atheist, but the funny thing is, he would get very excited for Durga Puja.
Ronit Roy
October 11 was my birthday, so we did the bhog yesterday. As a child, I remember our father taking us to Durga Puja. There used to be a beautiful idol of Maa, as well as a stage. I distinctly remember the food stalls and the new clothes that we would buy. Festivals are to be enjoyed and we still celebrate everything together as a family.