Photos: 8 things to do in Kolkata during Durga Puja 2021

Durga Puja will commence on October 11 this year and will go on till October 15. The festival begins with Mahalaya, which is believed to mark the start of Maa Durga's journey to her natal home.

Published on: Sep 25, 2021 5:33 PM IST

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Preparations have begun in full swing in Kolkata. Sculptures have started giving finishing touches to the idols while the people of the city are rushing to the market for their last moment shopping. The Durga Puja experience in Kolkata is very different from the rest of India and it is something worth experiencing at least once in your life. Here are a few things you can do in Kolkata during Durga Puja. (Instagram)

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Watch Durga idols being made: If you like art or are a photographer who likes capturing raw moments then you should visit Kumartuli in north Kolkata, an area that is known for making idols. (Instagram/@_hoimiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii_)

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Participate in Kumari Puja: This is another important ritual performed during Durga Puja. Different forms of Maa Durga are worshipped during the festival. On the day of Kumari Puja, the form of an innocent young unmarried virgin girl is worshipped. (Instagram/@djrohan_clicks)

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Attend Kola Bou Bath: Kola Bou is believed to be Lord Ganesha's wife. In this ritual, a banana plant is given a ceremonial bath on the banks of the Ganges River in Kolkata during the seventh day of Durga Puja. (Instagram/@rupadasmajumdar)

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Participate in Visarjan: The last day of the festival, Dashami, is the day Maa Durga's idol is immersed in water and devotees bid goodbye to the Goddess. One of the most popular immersion points is Babu Ghat, near Eden Garden. (Instagram/@reteshgondal)

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Pandal hopping: People dedicatedly go from one pandal to another admiring pandals and intriguing idols of Maa Durga. Several themed pandals in Kolkata attract tourists from nearby areas as well as other parts of India. (Instagram/@all_about_pujos)

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Experience Bonedi Bari Puja: Bonedi Bari Durga Puja of Kolkata is the traditional household Pujas of Kolkata. Instead of visiting pandals, you can visit old houses that are known for hosting Durga Puja since the long lost era. (Instagram/@calcuttaheritagecollective)

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Eat all day: The people of Kolkata look forward to two things during Durga Puja, pandal hopping and eating. Some like roaming during the day while the majority likes staying out the entire night visiting pandals and eating. (Instagram/@rohanred4454)

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Dance: On the day of Dashami, married women gather in nearby pandals in the traditional red and white Bengali saree and smear red vermillion powder on Maa Durga and then on each other. They also perform traditional dance in front of Maa Durga's idol one last time before the visarjan.  (Instagram/@antara.ka.mantra)