At Mukhorochok, city tastes slice of Bengali cuisine & culture

Indore: The Bengali food festival, Mukhorochok, began on Friday evening on the Bengali School and Club campus in Indore, drawing food lovers and families into a lively setting filled with aroma, music and conversation.The three-day festival, a much-awaited annual event, opened at 6:30 pm and will continue until Feb 1, with free entry for visitors.Stalls lined the venue with an inviting spread of traditional Bengali cuisine. From fish chop, cutlets, chicken and mutton rolls to egg rolls and fragrant biryani, the non-vegetarian counters saw steady crowds.Vegetarian visitors explored poori, cholar dal, beguni, veg thali, homemade cakes and pitha. The sweets section remained a highlight, with rasgulla, mishti doi and sandesh drawing repeat visits.Colourful saree displays, gift items and artificial Bengali jewellery added to the festive atmosphere beyond food. Children moved between stalls while elders greeted familiar faces, turning the grounds into a social gathering as much as a culinary event."We wait for this festival every year. It feels like home," said Asit Ganguly, a member of the Bengali community. Another attendee shared, "The taste is close to what we grew up with. It brings back memories."Bengali Club president Jayant Nath Choudhury said the event aims to bring the community together while welcoming non-Bengalis to experience the cuisine and culture. "This festival is not only about food, but also about meeting people and keeping traditions alive," said festival secretary Dibakar Chakraborty.Now, in its 16th year, Mukhorochok continues to grow as a cultural fixture in the city's social calendar, blending flavour, nostalgia and shared celebration.