Experiencing Durga Puja In Kolkata With My Friends: Rituals, Biryani & A City That Never Sleeps

Durga Puja in Kolkata is more than just a religious festival—it’s a five-day, city-wide carnival of lights, food, art, and community. For me, it became something even bigger. Last year, a casual chat with a few friends from Delhi about Spiti or Goa somehow took an unexpected turn eastward. What followed was one of the most unforgettable travel experiences of our lives.“Jagate anondojogge amar nimantrono” – “I am invited to the world’s festival of joy” – wrote Rabindranath Tagore. His words perfectly capture the spirit of Kolkata’s Durga Puja.A Festive Welcome, Kolkata StyleWhen my friends arrived a couple of days before the main Puja began, Kolkata was already glowing. Hoardings, neon signs, and strings of lights lit up the streets, welcoming everyone to the festival of joy.One of their first lessons? In Kolkata, new clothes are not just tradition, they're non-negotiable. Our first stop was shopping—kurta-pyjamas at Gariahat and New Market, Kolhapuri chappals (a timeless Kolkata thing, not just Prada runway chic), and endless bargaining with local shopkeepers.But the real Kolkata initiation came through its rides. Forget app cabs—we trammed through heritage tracks, squeezed into the iconic yellow taxis, and even hopped onto India's first Metro. Every ride was a slice of history.And, of course, every stop meant food—phuchkas at Vivekananda Park, Mughlai parota at Anadi Cabin, rolls from roadside stalls, and endless steaming chai in terracotta kulhars. My Delhi friends had their minds blown by Kolkata biryani (yes, with potatoes!), while sweets like sandesh, mishti doi, and rasgulla appeared at every corner.Cafés, Conversations & Kolkata NightsOur days blurred beautifully. Bengali thalis at Bhojohori Manna were a flavour explosion, while a quiet stop at Hazra's century-old café transported us back in time with puddings, cutlets, and baked fish.Evenings alternated between family warmth and festive frenzy. At home, we devoured luchi-aloor dum and jilipi (jalebi) ,discovering Bengal's spin on pooris. Later, we joined Kolkata's nightlife—ending up at Someplace Else, the city's legendary music hub, where locals dressed in festive Indian wear rocked out to live bands.On Ashtami, my friends joined me for anjali at our community Puja. Dressed in crisp Indian clothes, they even observed a fast—a gesture that touched me deeply. Breakfast afterwards was pure Kolkata comfort: radhaballavi, spicy aloor dum, and hot jilipi.Then came Sindoor Khela—once a women-only ritual, now open to all. For my friends, it felt like Holi with vermillion, but with layered cultural significance. It was a joyful collision of East and North India, a celebration of shared humanity.A City That Never Sleeps During PujaWhat shocked my Delhi gang most? Kolkata literally doesn't sleep for five days. At 2:30 am, pandal-hopping felt like peak evening. By dawn, we were still wandering the streets lit up like galaxies.A special highlight was our visit to Kumartuli, where artisans craft Durga idols. Helping to lift our local Puja idol onto a truck, with dhakis drumming beside us, was surreal. On immersion day at the Ganga, vermillion-stained faces, slippery ramps, and drumbeats created a memory etched forever.We wrapped it up with a ferry ride on the Ganga, snacks in hand, as our guide narrated the stories of each ghat.The True Spirit of Durga Puja: Friendship & InclusivityDurga Puja is often called Kolkata's heart on display. What my friends loved most was its inclusivity—everyone was welcome, irrespective of religion, caste, or origin. For us, it became not just a festival, but a friendship fiesta.Because Puja isn't just about pandals or rituals. It's about bonding over biryani at 3 am, dancing to live dhak beats, and discovering that friendship is stronger when celebrated together.As UNESCO has rightly recognised, Kolkata's Durga Puja is an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. And for us, it was also a heritage of love, laughter, and lifelong memories.Planning Your Own Puja AdventureIf you're tempted to plan your own Durga Puja trip to Kolkata, book early—flights soar, and trains fill fast. Consider a road trip for a cinematic "Piku-style" adventure.Accommodation ranges from luxury hotels to cosy guesthouses. We stayed at The South Inn near Rabindra Sarovar Lake, a simple but comfortable base with AC and Wi-Fi.This year, don't just see Durga Puja. Live it—with friends, with food, with the city that never sleeps.FAQs | Durga Puja in KolkataQ1. What makes Durga Puja in Kolkata unique?Durga Puja in Kolkata is a UNESCO-recognised festival, blending art, food, music, rituals, and community spirit into five days of non-stop celebration.Q2. When is Durga Puja celebrated in 2025?Durga Puja in 2025 falls from September 29 to October 3, with Ashtami being the most significant day.Q3. Where should I go pandal-hopping in Kolkata?Top spots include College Square, Kumartuli, Mudiali, Ekdalia Evergreen, and Ballygunge Cultural pandals.Q4. What foods should I try during Durga Puja in Kolkata?Don’t miss phuchkas, Mughlai parota, rolls, Kolkata biryani with potato, mishti doi, sandesh, and jilipi.Q5. How do I plan a budget trip to Kolkata during Durga Puja?Book flights/trains early, consider group stays in guesthouses, and explore via public transport like trams, taxis, and the Metro for a true local experience.Durga Puja In Mumbai 2025: Top Pandals That Define The Festivities