Just About Everything

                               Durga puja 2021 Durga pujas have always been special to me. 2021 Durga pujas were even more so because I went out to see some pandals after a long time! I did not see any in 2020. Not that I could see too many this time, I saw very few since I had to restrict myself given that the pandemic is still at large.The few pandals that I did mange to see were beautiful, creative, and had  a theme and message. It was a short tour of three hours. We started very early in the morning and ended our tour by indulging in piping hot and super delicious luchi and dal (Bengali style) from a sweet shop for breakfast. Pujas are incomplete without food...all Bengalis will agree with that for sure:) Below are pics of  Durga puja pandals I saw in South Kolkata. As usual I was floored by these beautiful and creative idols and pandals.  I hope next year things will be back to normal and...

Here are a couple more Durga puja pandals from North Kolkata. I will post some more Durga pujas pandals from North Kolkata and South Kolkata in my next few posts. The pictures below are from a Durga puja pandal in North Kolkata. This pandal replicates the train station and the inside of a local train so very well. The picture below is the pandal...it looks just like the outside of a train station, doesn't it?

A workshop with so many idols! Kumartuli is the place to be if you are interested in sculpting. The work of these talented artists is indeed mesmerizing. Kumartuli (Kumortuli) is home to talented sculptors who sculpt the idols of Gods and Goddesses. Kumartuli is well-known for the Durga idols that the artists create in there. You will find the place abuzz with activities all through the year, but it reaches its peak during Durga pujas. Durga idols start getting sculpted almost five to six months before Durga Puja. Not only do the artists create idols for West Bengal and other states, the idols are also sent abroad. Kumartuli is located near Shobhabazar in North Kolkata, West Bengal. I am sharing some pictures of the beautiful sculptures that these talented artists create.                                         An artist at work at Kumartuli Durga Idol Durg...

Durga idol Durga puja is less  than a month away, and Kolkata is beginning to look festive. Shopping, which is so much an integral part of this festival, is now at its peak! Shops are now open every day of the week. Like every year, this year as well, the city is coming up with some very innovative and creative Durga puja themes and pandals. Can't wait to go pandal hopping! The part that I never get tired of repeating is how the city transforms during these 5 days in October every year. Everyone participates in this festival, it is more of a celebration of good things to come than a religious festival. Millions of people go pandal hopping. The city does not sleep during this time. Road side vendors sell delicious food all through the night; you will find crowds going pandal hopping even at 3 am in the morning! It is quite an amazing experience actually. You need to witness this once in a lifetime at least! What I like most about this festival is how it brings togethe...

Ma Durga Happy Diwali to everyone.May this diwali bring you happiness, success, well being, and much much more. Wish you a wonderful year ahead. I am sharing some more beautiful creations with you. simple and pretty pandal  Durga idol Durga puja 2012, pandal Puja pandal in Salt Lake Kolkata, 2012 Durga idol in Salt lake Beautiful pandal at Salt lake Another creative pandal Durga Salt Lake FD block Durga idol in FD block, Salt Lake, Kolkata  Pandal decorations in FD block Salt Lake A pandal in Salt Lake Kolkata  Interiors of a pandal in Salt Lake, Kolkata Beautiful idol of Goddess Durga