How to Spend a 5-Day Durga Puja Vacation in Kolkata

Durga Puja (typically Sept–Oct) transforms Kolkata into the world's largest open-air art festival. A curated 5-day plan:

Day 1: Mahalaya / Shashthi — Arrival & Pandal Hopping Begins

• Dawn: Mahalaya chants (Birendra Krishna Bhadra) on radio — spiritual kickoff.
• Morning: Visit 3–4 major pandals (e.g., Santoshpur, Suruchi Sangha, Bosepukur) — early = fewer crowds.
• Lunch: Bhog (vegetarian feast) at a pandal or traditional shorshe ilish (hilsa in mustard) at 6 Ballygunge Place.
• Evening: Sandhya Aarti + cultural programs (dance, music) at College Square, Maddox Square.

Day 2: Saptami — Iconic Pandals & Heritage

• Morning: Kumartuli (potters' quarter) — see idols being finished.
• Midday: Victoria Memorial, Indian Museum, Marble Palace.
• Evening: North Kolkata aristocratic bonedi bari pujas (Shovabazar, Thanthania) — 200+ yr traditions.

Day 3: Ashtami — Peak Devotion

• Pre-dawn: Pushpanjali (flower offering) at your chosen pandal.
• Day: Sandhi Puja (108 lamps, 108 lotuses) — most auspicious moment.
• Night: Pandals open all night; street food crawl (phuchka, jhalmuri, rolls).

Day 4: Navami — Farewell Feasting

• Morning: Homa (fire ritual), Kumari Puja (worship of young girl as Devi).
• Lunch: Bhog at Belur Math (Ramakrishna Mission HQ) — massive, serene.
• Evening: Sindur Khela (married women play with vermilion) — emotional climax.

Day 5: Dashami (Vijaya Dashami) — Immersion & Return

• Morning: Visarjan procession — idols to Hooghly (cranes, trucks, chants).
• Afternoon: Bijoya visits — sweets, blessings, younger touch elders' feet.
• Departure: Carry prasad, photos, and the ringing of dhak drums in your ears.

Logistics

• Metro (Blue/Green lines) + app cabs best; traffic gridlock 6 PM–midnight.
• Book hotel by June (Park Street, Ballygunge, Salt Lake).
• Carry cash (small vendors), power bank, wet wipes, mask (dust).