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Durga Puja

Photo: Subhrajyoti07, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons

Durga Puja (Sanskrit: दुर्गापूजा Durgāpūjā, Bengali: দুর্গাপূজা Durgāpūjā) is a large Hindu festival honouring goddess Durga, the consort of Shiva. It is celebrated every year in Bangladesh and India between September and October. It is the biggest event of Hindus in Bengal, and Kolkata takes on an almost carnival-like ambience. The festival has been listed as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage since December 2021.

UnderstandAccording to Hindu texts, goddess Durga (दुर्गा / দুর্গা Durgā) won a battle against the shape-shifting demon Mahishasura (महिषासुर Mahishāsura, মহিষাসুর Mohishāsur).
Schedules and ritualsDurga Puja is celebrated in the month of Āshvin, according to the Hindu calendar, which corresponds to September and October in the Gregorian calendar.
DestinationsDurga Puja in mainly associated with the Bengal region, which includes Bangladesh and West Bengal.
Get inForeign travellers may have to obtain a visa to enter India or Bangladesh, see India#Get in and Bangladesh#Get in for details.
Get aroundWalking is often the best option to visit the Durga Puja venues in cities like Kolkata, especially as the streets can be too congested for vehicles larger than motorcycles and the police may not permit any vehicles on…
Do
BuyDurga Puja is a popular shopping season in Bengal, where people buy gifts for their friends and close relatives. This includes new clothes that people wear to go out during pandal-hopping, often called pūjār pōshāk.
EatLuchi with lentils and potato curry is a popular dish served during Durga Puja. A sweet version served during this period is podmo luchi (lotus luchi), which is stuffed with dried fruits and soft cheese.
DrinkEnjoy the vibrant nightlife during Durga Puja. People dance on the street while playing DJ music.
SleepAccommodations get booked up during Durga Puja, so book hotels in advance. If you're prioritising certain venues, you can look for accommodations close to those venues.
Stay safeMany venues get crowded during Durga Puja, and the best one attracts the most, so visit them as early as possible, especially in the morning and early evening.
RespectSince Durga Puja is a religious celebration, wearing conservative clothes is often recommended. For women, wearing a sari or churidar is preferred over Western dresses.

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