Durga Puja has evolved over the decades from being an annual religious festival to one of art and culture. This year too, I traveled across Kolkata, pandal hopping from one corner to another experiencing the grandeur of Durga Puja. I…
Tallest Durga Idol in Deshapriya Park, Kolkata
This year my puja pandal hopping began with the world’s tallest durga idol in Deshapriya Park, Kolkata. The imposing 88 feet tall idol of Goddess Durga along with her entourage was resplendent in her golden glory. On closer look, the…
Durga Puja Immersion Sights from Kolkata
The 5 day Durga Puja extravaganza concludes with the immersion of the idols. While she is the all powerful Mother Goddess – Ma Durga , she is also Uma the proverbial loving daughter who visits her maternal home with her…
When a City turns into a Grand Art Gallery: Kolkata Puja Pandals
From Calcutta to Kolkata the city has emerged and evolved over 300 years. This city of promise and power may have lost the battle for economic, technology, or political supremacy to Mumbai, Bangalore, Delhi but for anyone who has spent…
“Dhaki” Beats – Tribute to the Drummer from East India
The autumn celebration of Durga Puja in Eastern India specially Bengal is incomplete without the rhythm of the “Dhak” or the traditional Indian Drum. As a child, I would race to the neighbourhood pandal often barefoot at the the sound…
Hues of Me: Shades of Blue and Green Decor in Pandal
Some colours instantly warm our heart and for me it is shades of blue and green with a little bit of yellow and orange thrown in. When I started reading about chakras (energy centres) and colour therapy I could make…
Essence of the Mother Goddess Durga, Images from Kolkata
The 10 day autumnal festival better known as Durga Puja is celebrated with grandeur for 5 days in the eastern part of India and is the major festival of the region. Kolkata, the erstwhile city of the Raj on the…
Face is the Mirror of the Soul- Kolkata Puja Idols
Home to 3 of India’s 5 Noble Laureates, Kolkata is the educational, religious, cultural and heritage capital of the eastern part of India but actually beauty in imperfection. This vibrant city is warm in its embrace and still warmer in…