A Beginner’s Survival Guide to Kolkata Durga Pujo
Experiencing Kolkata’s Durga Pujo for the first time? Here’s a real, no-nonsense survival guide with tips on pandal hopping, food, fashion, and everything you need to enjoy the city’s grandest festival.
Kolkata during Durga Pujo isn’t just a festival, it’s a takeover. Streets glow with fairy lights, pandals rise overnight like works of art, and the city doesn’t sleep. If it’s your first time, prepare yourself: the energy is addictive, but it can also be overwhelming.
Timing Is Everything
Pujo officially runs from Sasthi to Dashami (five days), but the build-up starts weeks earlier. If you’re only here for a short stay, aim for Chaturthi to Saptami because from Ashtami, the pandals are at their peak and the crowds are buzzing. Late evenings are prime time, but if you want to avoid shoulder-to-shoulder chaos, hit the pandals early in the morning.
Pandal Hopping Like a Pro
Forget cars because traffic crawls. The best way to cover maximum pandals is on foot or using the metro. Stick to one neighbourhood per night: South Kolkata one day and North Kolkata the next, rather than trying to zigzag across the city. And wear comfortable shoes as heels will betray you at the second stop.
What to Wear
Pujo fashion is an event in itself. Think, kurta-pajamas, or fusion wear (that’s light). Remember, comfort is the key as you’ll be walking miles and sweating through the crowd. Carry a small bag for essentials and don’t underestimate the power of cotton in Kolkata's humidity.
Pro tip: Carry a portable fan in your bag in case it gets too sweaty and suffocating.
Eat Like a Local
Skip fancy restaurants during Pujo. The real joy is in street food: phuchkas, kathi rolls, chop-cutlets, and the legendary bhog (khichuri, labra, chutney, payesh) served at pandals. Forget cards and keep cash handy because many stalls won’t accept UPI or any other mode.
Energy Management
You’ll end up walking 10–15k steps a night without realising it. Hydrate, keep a light snack with you, and pace yourself. Also, sleep will take a hit so accept it. Pujo nights stretch till dawn.
Bijoya Dashami: The Big Goodbye
Dashami marks the end with sindoor khela, visarjan, and a bittersweet sense of farewell. If you can, stay till then to witness the emotion that’s loud, and unforgettable. You can also collect passes to witness the Grand Pujo Carnival of Kolkata to see the grandeur of the city’s most famous idols.
