Just About Everything

Durga idol Ahiritola Jubakbrinda Kolkata comes alive during Durga pujas. Every year, I think, they will run out of ideas and themes this year, but every year there is a fresh new theme. It is just too awesome! Durga puja is a not just celebrated by  Bengalis, the entire city celebrates this festival. People from all walks of life celebrate this joyous festival about the victory of good over evil. It is one of the most inclusive festivals I have ever seen, and which is why it is so unique and has to be experienced at least once! The Durga pandals have different themes with social messages. The innovative, artistic, and creative pandals leaves you in a dream like state…. I am sharing some of the Durga puja pandals that I loved. I could only see a fraction of the Durga puja pandals this year but even that is enough to give you an idea of the  love, joy, and inclusiveness this festival is all about! I will start with a pandal which left a deep impact on me. The...

An artist at Kumartuli One of the most popular festivals of Bengal, Durga puja begins. Durga puja celebrates the victory of Goddess Durga over the evil demon Mahishasura. This five day festival begins with Shashti, which was yesterday, and ends on Dusshera (Vijaya Dashami). Kolkata is so very festive during this time, and like every year, the city has turned into an artistic hub with amazing display of creative Durga puja pandals and idols…This festival combines art, music, food, and to me it is not a religious festival but a festival that celebrates the power of good over all things evil. I went out on a tour early morning on Pachami, and saw quite a few beautiful and creative pandals. Some of the pandals were ready, while some were on the last stages of completion.  In Kumartuli where almost all the idols are made, idol makers were busy completing the idols.  To begin with, I am posting  quite a different looking pandal. They have created a train station and a ...

The festive season has begun! Tomorrow is Shashthi, and Kolkata is all set for Durga puja. Durga puja is one of the most popular and much awaited festivals of West Bengal in India. One has to be in Kolkata to experience this festive mood! I set off this morning to catch a glimpse of some of the well-known pujas in North Kolkata. Here are some of the many Durga puja pandals that I saw today. I will post some more in a couple of days. Durga puja is the time when I look forward to seeing creative pandals with unique themes, artistic idols, and so much more, and as usual Kolkata does not disappoint.  Happy Durga pujas!  Telenga Bagan Durga Puja 2015 Ceiling of the pandal J M Park, North Kolkata Durga puja Kumartuli puja  Kumartuli Durga idol The theme was earthquake and army helping out Kumartuli N Kolkata Puja Durga idol Beniatola Durga puja 2015 ...

Durga Idol at the Girish Mukherjee residence Durga puja at the Girish Mukherjee house in Bahawnipur, Kolkata is over 100 years old. This beautiful old house and the people have upheld the tradition of celebrating Durga puja in the same traditional way over the years. All members of the family get together for Durga puja, the sense of togetherness and the spirit of festivity in this household is infectious! And not to miss the dhakis who complete the whole picture by drumming in the beats of happiness. Durga painting Beautiful old house- Girish Mukherjee bari Bhawanipur, Kolkata Entrance of the house The family gets together for the evening Durga arati on Nabami Durga Arati on Nabami Dhakis with their colourful drums

Durga idol Santoshpur Lake Pally Today is shasti, and Kolkata is so completely festive. The excitement begins from today! Officially Durga Puja for 2013 begins today but people have been pandal hopping since chaturthi! So far I have seen just a few Durga puja pandals. I am sharing the pictures of two of my favourite Durga puja pandals so far. The following set of pictures are from a Durga puja in Patuli in South Kolkata. It is called the Patuli club puja. The pandal is in the shape of a cage and there are birds in  the cage. Each idol is holding a dove, most likely to depict peace. Patuli club durga puja 2013 Birds in the pandal A beautiful peacock Paintings on the pandal Durga idol Patuli club 2013 Decorations in the pandal The below-mentioned pandal is again from South Kolkata, it is called the Santoshpur Lake Pally Durga puja. The pandal is in the shape of a flower and it looks so beautiful and real. The stigma of th...