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Celebrating Durga Pujo Outside Bengal
Durga Pujo has a special place in the hearts of all Bengalis around the world and no matter wherever you are, this time of the year makes you homesick! Maa Durga visits state once a year and the capital city Kolkata becomes truly the city of joy for these five days. The strings of fairy lights across the city, the sound of Rabindra sangeet at every corner, the creative pandals, that unique ‘dhunichi naach’ and ‘dhaak er taal’ is an essence that will always stand tall in comparison to any other attraction elsewhere. In the last few years I have spent Durga pujo in Pune, Amritsar, Chandigarh and even Leh and Manipur and every place had their bit to offer during this festive time of the year. I very well know its foolishness to look for the same vibe as Kolkata in these places but, I make an effort to find out if there is some Bengali community celebrating the puja in no matter how small scale. Though there was no sign of any festivity in Leh, I managed find a little temple in Manipur that had a durga puja. Even in Amritsar I couldn’t find a single Bengali community or a puja pandal until someone told me there was a puja happening in the Airforce colony and I did visit that. While in Pune, I did go to a community puja and I loved it! But Chandigarh came as a total surprise and in all the pleasant ways. It’s been a few months in Chandigarh and I have been feeling a little stuck. I missed hills, the peacefulness and the random exploring on my own, I missed Manipur. So, not being able to go home for the pujas was just another reason to feel disheartened! But then as always, dear husband came to rescue. He came with a few addresses where supposedly there was pandals and the pujas are held by the Bengali communities in Chandigarh. Though I wasn’t really sure of finding anything after my experience in Amritsar but still I agreed to go with him. And I was glad I did! Kalibari in Chandigarh
There are a few pujas happening around Chandigarh, but the one in Kalibari definitely is the biggest one. With a huge crowd pouring in to have a glimpse of Maa Durga, this place also has a beautiful pandal. For a moment you get a feel of pandal hopping in Kolkata in a maddening crowd, here. The pandal is built in the temple and the temple premises have a number of stalls and gives a feel of a mela.
Most of the arranging members are Bengali and the stall outside try and give a taste of Bengali food. From ‘alur chop’, ‘jhalmuri’ to ‘phuchka’ you find a variety of food stalls. And there are also a few Bengal cotton saree outlets in the premises. And not just the temple premises but outside too there is all kinds of stalls for the crowd.
I have always wanted to visit Delhi’s Chittaranjan Park during pujas and it still stays in my bucketlist. But, the Kalibari in Chandigarh came as pleasant surprise and it was lovely visiting the pandal. Banga Bhavan in Chandigarh
When I was all happy and satisfied with my visit to Kalibari, husband dearest suggested we should check out Banga Bhavan too. Honestly, I was not expecting much as I read the biggest puja was held in Kalibari. Reaching there, the crowd did feel a lot less but we were welcome with the pleasant sound of Rabindra sangeet playing in the background. A little happily surprised we entered the place to find a mini Bengal! A humble pandal with the beautiful idol of durga and a stage at the side being prepared for a function to start. Though not on a large scale as the kalibari but, this place was definitely more homely and I was almost stunned to see so many Bengalis in Chandigarh! I found out, there are several cultural events that take place the whole week and this place also has a small fair happening in the area. Not so huge but definitely more Bengali for me, this place also offers a place to stay and a canteen that offers proper Bengali food to people. During the days of puja, they also have an arrangement of Bhog(Prasadam) for the visitors for a small amount.
I absolutely loved the vibe of the place, the men in their dhoti-kurta and women in their typical sarees, kajal laden eyes and red bindis everywhere gave the feeling of a mini Bengal in this little Banga Bhavan. But in all this festivity and time of the year it's yet a little painful being away from Kolkata/home. That part of the country doesn't sleep for these five days and the city and it's people are decked up in it's finery. The city is bathed in lights and the vibe unmatched! It has been said a thousand times before but how could i not end the blog with sentence as it is so apt. Durga pujo for us bengalis is not just a festival, it is an emotion!! Read the full article
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