If you are from Kolkata you do not need to see the calendar to know the exact date of the Durga puja. The nature, the people, the environment, the atmosphere, the busy streets, and the bamboo on the empty playgrounds will make you know that Bengal is all ready for the biggest festival knocking at the door, and it’s time to get ready for the epic festival.

It seems like nature has washed the dirt off everything for a new start. The leaves become lush green the sky turns its aura into a light blue color with some clouds in between, seems like god has done a beautiful painting on a blue canvas. The sunlight seems to be golden in color but with minimum heat, the smell in the air changes to a comfortable and soothing one. You can see ” Kash ful” grown here and there which indicates that you have no more time to waste on the pujas.

And after the long wait comes the day when you can hear” আশ্বিনের শারদপ্রাতে বেজে উঠেছে আলোক মঞ্জীর; ধরণীর বহিরাকাশে অন্তরিত মেঘমালা…” sharp at 4:00 Am over the radio that means its MAHALAYA(Mahishasuramardini Rendition) and if you are looking for the original taste to listen to mahalaya we recommend you to hear it over a radio believe it the Old School is the best way you can here Mahalaya. 

Let’s Get into a little bit of history about why mahalaya is celebrated and why it is so important – “According to Hindu mythology, it is believed that on this day Brahma, Vishnu, and Maheswar created Goddess Durga to defeat the demon king Mahishasura. It is the last day of Pitru Paksha. Therefore, this day is marked as the arrival of Goddess Durga to Earth with her ultimate power it can be also told that Maa Durga comes to Earth, her ‘paternal home’, on this day/She comes ‘home’ with her children — Lakshmi, Saraswati, Kartik, and Ganesh. ”

Basically, Durga Puja Starts from Saptami In Kolkata You can feel the pujas From mahalaya only.You can hear songs being played at the puja pandals people starts pandal hopping the beautiful decoration of the puja pandals along with the lighting which makes them even more beautiful to see at night. 

The Main Festival Starts with Maha Shashti Followed by Maha Saptami Followed by Maha Ashtami Followed by  Maha Navami & ends with Vijaya Dashami.

The primary goddess revered during Durga Puja is Durga but celebrations also include other major deities of Hinduism such as Lakshmi (the goddess of wealth and prosperity), Saraswati (the goddess of knowledge and music), Ganesha (the god of good beginnings), and Kartikeya (the god of war). 

Significance of each day of Durga puja:-

Mahashasthi – Sasti is the sixth day of Durga Puja where Devi Bodhon is done where the face of Devi Durga is unveiled, This is the day when Parvati or Uma is welcomed on her visit to her father’s house during her 3-day trip.

Maha Ashtami – it is believed that Goddess Kali appeared from the forehead of Devi Durga and killed Chanda, Munda, and Raktabija — the asuras or demons who were with Mahishasura.

Mahanavami- Maha Navami celebrates the victory of good over evil because it is the day on which the goddess Durga killed the buffalo demon.

Vijaya Dashami- Dussehra marks the victory of good over evil

 

Durga Puja Kolkata Guide:-

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Kolkata Durga Puja Full Map(Source http://www.kolkatatrafficpolice.gov.in/)

South Kolkata , North Kolkata , Central
Kolkata

11 Famous Durga Puja Pandals in Kolkata You
Must Visit

1.      
Bagbazar

2.      
Kumartuli Park

3.      
College Square

4.      
Mohammad Ali Park

5.      
Santosh Mitra Square

6.      
Badamtala Ashar Sangha

7.      
Ballyguangha

9.       Ekdalia Evergreen

10.   Jodhpur Park

11.   Bosepukur Sitala Mandirnge Cultural
Association

8.      
Suruchi S

 

10 Oldest & Traditional Durga Puja Places
in Kolkata.

1. Sovabazar Rajbari
   Durga Puja(Nine Generations, Over 250 Years – This Durga Puja is One of
   Kolkata’s Oldest)
2. Laha Bari
   Durgotsav
3. Durga Puja of
   Sabarna Roy Choudhury Family
4. Mallick Bari Durga
   utsav
5. Durga Puja of
   Bholanath Dham, Beadon Street
6. Baghbazar
   Haldarbari Durga Puja
7. Bhowanipore, De
   Bari Durga Puja
8. Durga Puja of
   Badan Chandra Roy Family
9. Bhukailash Rajbari
   Durgotsav
10. Durga Puja of
    Shibkrishna Daw Family

Things to do in Kolkata during Durga Puja

·        
Pandal hopping. Things to do in
Kolkata during Durga Puja.

·        
Decking up in your traditional
best. Things to do in Kolkata during Durga Puja. 

·        
Hogging on amazing local food.
Things to do in Kolkata during Durga Puja.

·        
Enjoying various cultural
activities.

·        
Attending the immersion ceremony.