Calcutta, the city of joy
Calcutta is a captivating city that exudes charm and authenticity that are not necessarily found in other major cities of India. This city should definitely be discovered during the festivities of Durga Puja.
Creating pandals
For those who visit Calcutta before the actual festivities, it is interesting to visit the areas where the idols are created. The intricate process is fascinating.
The pandals, real works of art
Each pandal is built on a theme of its own: dragon-shaped or a butterfly in flight, the head of a Buddha created from kitchen utensils, a rickshaw back to symbolize the end of a way of ancestral transportation, pearl garlands or boats … the list is long because the city has thousands of pandals every year.
Pandal hooping
As any city dweller, I followed the local custom of visiting pandals, which is mainly in the late afternoon and for some people until the end of the night. Apart from family celebrations, one of the main activities during the few days of the festival is pandal hopping. Backpacking from pandal to pandal, the inhabitants of Calcutta sometimes queue for more than half an hour to visit the most impressive pandals.
Visiting pandals
– Ganesh the god of wisdom, known for his elephant head,
– Laxmi the goddess of prosperity and pleasure,
– Kama, the goddess of love
– And Krishna, one of the avatars of Vishnu, the creator of the world.
Each pandal is a testament to the creativity and inventiveness of its designer.
Hindu prayers
Throughout the day, various pujas are celebrated to mark the highlights of the story of the goddess Durga and her victory against evil. Each pandal is overseen by priests, called pundits in Hindi, to conduct ceremonies, and to offer prayers and candles. These prayers are the moments during which we fully feel the fervor and devotion of the people.
Immersion in the Ganges
A beautiful as well as artistic religious festival, this is a real experience of authentic and traditional India. If you do not know Calcutta, this is a good opportunity to go there and enjoy a unique cultural journey.
Start thinking about your trip Durga Puja 2013 by visiting our website www.shantitravel.com/en.