Durga Puja is one of the most important and well-celebrated festivals of the Bengali community. Pandals in West Bengal and many other parts of India are erected as early as two months ahead of the actual Puja days. The festival is celebrated to pay homage to the Hindu Goddess, Durga. Although, the festival is mainly celebrated in West Bengal, there are also many other places in India where Durga Puja is celebrated. Therefore, if you have been wondering places to visit in India where to celebrate Durga puja, then here is a list for you:
1. Kolkata, West Bengal
When we talk about Durga Puja, not mentioning Kolkata would be just unfair. Kolkata is the most famous city for Durga Puja. From pandal hopping to eating sumptuous Bengali cuisines, from wearing new clothes to visiting relatives and friends, Durga Puja is all about fun in this city. The city looks stunning on these four days of Puja. No matter at what time you are going out of your home, you will always find people having some of their best time during these days.
2. Delhi
Delhi witnesses one of the best Durga Puja celebrations in India. To see the vibrancy of Durga Puja, you can visit C.R. Park, where you will feel as if you are in Kolkata. From the pandals to the variety of authentic Bengali cuisines, you can see a huge crowd in C.R. Park these four days. You can see the other side of Durga Puja, which is celebrated in Ramlila Maidan, where Ravana’s effigies are burnt on Dussehra. People from all sections of the society gather at Ramlila Maidan to witness this celebration.
3. Ahmedabad, Gujarat
People in Ahmedabad celebrate this time differently, remembering Lord Ram killing over Ravana. Throughout the festival, you can see fireworks all through the night. Stages are erected where dramas are performed. People take part in those dramas, songs, and dances where they recite the life of Ram and how he killed Ravana. You can also see Dandiya being performed in several corners of the city.
4. Mumbai, Maharashtra
Mumbai is one of the top places to visit in India to enjoy Durga Puja. The trend of Durga puja here was started by Bengalis who could not manage to go to their home in Bengal during Puja. Therefore, they erected pandals in Mumbai itself started Durga Puja just like in Kolkata. You can see quite many celebrities coming to pandals during these four days.
5. Pune, Maharashtra
Visit pandals in Pune during Durga Puja and you will fall in love with the cultural programs such as music, dance, drama, etc. You must try the bhogs that are served to Goddess Durga, especially the Nabami bhog.
