Durga Puja Lights Up Kolkata: Faith, Festivity, and Fervour
Lights Up Kolkata During the Durga Puja Festival
In Durga Puja thousands of glowing lights, tents shine brightly under the dark night sky. Heavy drum beats ring through the busy and crowded city streets. The smell of sweet incense blends with the spicy street food. Millions of people walk from one art display to the next. Nearly 40 million people visit the city for this big event. UNESCO put the event on its special list in 2021. It is a mix of faith and great local art. This festival also brings a lot of money to the city.
Kolkata turns into a bright dream every year in October during Durga Puja Festival
The event started back in the 1500s with very rich families. By the 1800s, the festival turned into a big public event. These are called barowari pujas and everyone can join them. Now, the city spends over 1,600 crore rupees on the party. This money pays for lights, safety, and the work of artists.
Source: Economic Times
The heart of the work is in a place called Kumartuli in Durga puja
The artisans create 50,000 statues of clay idols every year in this region. They construct the statues using straw and river mud. They also color the eyes of the Goddess very carefully. This ceremony is known as Chokkhu Daan and is very old. The workers remain engaged for 18 hours a day for weeks for the upcoming Durga Puja festival. Watching them at work is an excellent way to begin your journey.
The big tents are like short-term palaces made of cloth and wood
These displays are called pandals and they are true works of art. Each group picks a new theme for their tent every year. Some look like old stone temples from a long time ago. Others use bamboo or show a message about the planet. A middle-sized tent costs about 1 crore rupees to build. The biggest ones can cost as much as 5 crore rupees. They use millions of tiny lights to glow in the dark.
The fun lasts for ten days in the middle of autumn5
Most people join the crowds during the final four busy days during durga puja. You can see flower offerings and loud fire dance shows. On the last day, people march to the river with statues. Women play with red powder in a custom called Sindoor Khela. Everyone stays up late talking and singing with their best friends.
Source : Gozo Cabs
Food is a big part of the fun for everyone there
The vendors sell 5 lakh plates of hot snacks daily. You can have a plate of phuchka for 40 rupees. A spicy meat roll will cost you no more than 100 rupees. Free meals of rice and lentils are available in many tents. Visit Gariahat or College Street if you are looking for the best eateries.
If you stay for five days, you need a money plan
A basic hotel will cost you around 2,000 rupees per night. Save 700 rupees per day for eating all the street food. Cabs and metro will cost you around 500 rupees every single day. Your entire stay may cost you around 8,000 to 18,000 rupees. You should book your flight tickets well in advance to get a much better price.
This event is a huge art show for the whole city. People from all walks of life come together to celebrate. Every light and drum beat makes the city feel very alive. Plan your trip for this fall to make memories that last. When Kolkata glows, it does more than host a big party. The whole city becomes the party itself.
