Just About Everything

Durga Puja 2021 It was Nabami and Durga puja was almost over....I wanted to make the most of the festive spirit and take a  look at some of the puja pandals nearby. Pandal hopping by maintaining social distance is not really feasible! Somewhat possible in Salt lake though. And the best way to go pandal hopping is to walk and see the puja pandals.  So off I went and it felt so normal (although wearing a mask was not normal but I am assuming that will stay for sometime) to go pandal hopping. The festive spirit can be so uplifting.  Here are some pictures from my Nabami walk. The Durga pandals are from the GD, HA  and HC blocks in Salt Lake, and nearby ones.  

                               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...

North Kolkata's Nalin Sarkar Street and Nabin Pally near Hathibagan, are well-known for the artistic and ethnic durga puja pandals. Here are some pictures from Nalin Sarkar Street and Nabin pally Durga puja 2016.These pandals are based on Tribal and Rajasthani themes. Nalin Sarkar Street Durga Puja 2016 Nabin Pally Durga Puja 2016 More Durga puja pictures from North Kolkata: Durga puja 2016, creative pandals and idols from North Kolkata Kolkata Durga Puja 2016, Telengabagan and Karbagan, Ultadanga, Kolkata

Durga idol-Hindustan Park Kolkata Here are some more Durga puja pandals from South Kolkata. It keeps getting better and better... With Durga pujas now over, there is a bit of sadness in the air... the celebrations got over too soon:(   The puja fever is really something...no one gets spared…it is infectious...it just engulfs you. It is difficult to express how it feels unless you are in Kolkata and are a part of these celebrations. There is so much more to Durga puja than it being a religious festival where Goddess Durga is worshipped.  In fact, I would say it is much beyond a religious festival, it is a time for celebration, a joyous occasion when families and friends get together, delicious khichdi bhog is devoured by one and all (I wait for the khichdi…I have never tasted anything as delicious as this khichdi), gifts are exchanged, one wakes up to the sound of dhaks, and the best part is the creative and beautiful puja pandals and idols... Oh what a treat! ...