From Kolkata to Pune: 5 best places to soak in Durga puja festivities

Durga Puja is one of the most vibrant and festive Hindu festivals in India. It's a celebration that honours Goddess Durga and declares her victory over the demon king Mahishasura. A lively celebration that typically occurs in September or October and lasts for about 10 days with grand traditions and artistic exhibits. This festival is not only a religious festival but an emotion for the people and also brings everyone together for supreme happiness and joy. And since this festival is round the corner, let's see some places one can visit this year.

The hub of the festival of Durga Puja, it is greatly celebrated here with supreme grandeur and cultural richness. Here in the city, during the festival, tourists can see numerous show-stopping decorated pandals with various themes, creative lighting, and cultural events which will surely leave an individual in awe. Durga Puja festivities here bring hundreds of tourists to Kolkata where they indulge in pandal hopping, dance to the classical Dhak dance, and discover the delectable Bengali food. If one arrives here early, they might also witness people making the idols of Goddess Durga with their hearts full of great devotion and love.

The festival of Durga Puja here is mostly celebrated in neighbourhoods like CR Park, which is also known as the ‘Mini Bengal of Delhi’. Tourists can find huge pandals here, which are nicely decorated, and they draw not only the Bengalis residing there but also the locals. The Durga Puja festival accompanies the Dussehra performances with cultural concerts and feasts for everyone. The festival here has a contemporary touch to it, and the pandals are primarily famous for their immense artistry and the spirit of community.

The festival here is a perfect mix of Bengali traditional culture and the city's spirit. Throughout the Durga Puja festival, numerous places in Mumbai are illuminated like Lokhandwala, Powai, Andheri, Juhu, Chembur, and Navi Mumbai with amazing pandals that have exquisite craftsmanship and themes. Here in Mumbai during this time, there will be an electric charge in the atmosphere with traditional Dhak beats and rituals. Glamour is added to the festivities with Bollywood personalities visiting various pandals to seek the blessings of the Goddess. Durga Puja in Mumbai is celebrated with great energy, with events such as Maha Ashtami and Sindoor Khela drawing huge crowds.

This city hosts grand festivities for Durga Puja in the form of fairs, exhibitions, and innovative Assamese idol designs at pandals such as Latasil. The celebration here is a mixture of traditional rituals and Assamese culture. Grand fairs and exhibitions are organized here that give the location a festive touch. The celebration continues for 10 days and culminates with the immersion of the idol of the Goddess. Cultural dance and music programmes are highly organized here. This city observes the festival in great affection and with a hint of its own culture.

Pune welcomes the colorful Durga Puja festival with great passion and devotion in people's hearts. The increasing Bengali population here observes the festival with great enthusiasm, with awe-inspiring decorated pandals and various innovative themes. A lot of renowned Durga Puja festivities take place here, like in places like Koregaon Park, with a very gorgeous idol of Goddess Durga covered with rich attire and exquisite ornaments. This pandal is also renowned for its environment friendly decorations and the vibrant Anandamela cultural fair with Bengali food stalls and handicrafts.