Kumortuli: The Abode of Goddess Durga in Kolkata

Sayanti Poddar & Swati Mallik It was the morning of Mahalaya. People gathered along riverside Ganga for ‘Pitru Tarpan’, a ritual to offer prayers for their ancestors.  However in the adjacent lanes and bylanes, people thronged to mark the start of the greatest festival of the Bengalis- Durga Puja. But, not for all. “Our season…

Durga Puja at the ‘Bonedi’ Houses of Kolkata

Swati Mallik & Sayanti Poddar Every year in Bengal autumn brings a special message with it – the time for celebration has come once again! In Bengal, especially in Kolkata, there is a certain exuberance in the air… big hoardings obstructing almost every sight, huge pandels blocking roads and lanes, thematic lights along the city…