Durga Puja is more than a mere celebration of the triumph of good over evil. Significantly enough, among the Bengalis all over the world, the essence of Durga Puja is unique in many aspects. Neither can one find those Garba dance formations nor the burning of the effigies of Ravana in this time of the year. Over the years, Durga Puja has become a national festival and Bengal has been instrumental in transforming it to a cultural milieu in harmonic tune, giving utmost importance to the concept of a responsible regard for the diversity of culture.

From the day of the Mahalaya, people start counting the days of the Durga Puja. On the auspicious occasion of the Mahalaya, listening to the Mahishasur Mardini has become an age old tradition. Let's not forget the legendary singer Pankaj Kumar Mullick and the thespians Birendra Krishna Bhadra and Bani Kumar who have been immortal by virtue of their Sanskrit rendition of Mahishasur Mardini. With the blessings of the departed souls in heaven, Debi pokkho ushers in and the idol makers of Kumartuli hurry up in their last minute touch ups. Durga Puja is all about starting things with new zeal, with new dresses and more passion and love. Many people go vegetarian on nine days of Navaratri. 

What makes Durga Puja in Kolkata markedly different is the perfect blend of a typical Bengali cultural set up along with the practices and beliefs of people belonging to the various states of the country in our city which is thoroughly cosmopolitan in sprit. The puja pandals come up and truly it amazes almost all pandal hoppers, especially how the idol makers and sculptors make such creations possible. This year witnessed the tallest Durga Puja pandal in Deshapriya Park in Kolkata, where the height almost eighty feet. Unfortunately, due to certain unforeseen problems, the authority concerned had to suspend viewing of the most fascinating Durga pandal. The disappointment of the enthusiastic devotees was quite evident. Barring that, this Durga Puja witnessed endless streams of devotees’ right from Chaturthi to ekadashi. Festivals in Kolkata can never be time bound considering the immensity of passion and festive spirit. In reality, the advent of autumn heralds a wave of inward bliss in every Kolkatan, instilling in each robust optimism despite the endless spell of diurnal problems. 

Celebration of the Durga Puja in the old Rajbaris and Belur Ramakrishna Math are unique in many ways. Certainly the old glamorous palatial houses like Sovabazar Rajbari, Baghbazar that of Rani Rashmani, the Mullick family, Saborno Roy Choudhury and others are the notable ones. Belur Math deserves special mention as it has remained centre of attraction ever since the days of Swami Vivekananda. Interestingly Swamiji opted to having a Muslim girl for Kumari puja, surpassing the narrower interpretation of the national festival. Undoubtedly there can be no better way of celebration than this- the 'coming together' of people in this great 'city of joy’, without any scar or mistrust.

When you talk about Bengalis, any discussion is incomplete without their love and adoration for culture and food. The way street hawkers and shops came up with the food delicacies from fast food to desserts, remain photographers' sheer delight. The puja bhog is another aspect and the joy in queuing up to collect the puja bhog is unique. As far as culture is concerned, be it the traditional attire of the Bengalis in sari or dhoti Punjabi or going for anjali or offering on the Asthami morning,

Kolkata Durga Puja is incomplete without the dedicated service of the Kolkata Traffic police. Every year they make the biggest sacrifice; day in and day out they remain vigil to their traffic duties and work indefatigably in maintaining law and order in the city. Along with the Kolkata Police, many NGOs even draft plans to make the four days of the puja worth remembering for the slum kids as well as the senior citizens living in old age homes. The way the city gets lighted up, truly synchronizes the indomitable power and spirit of Goddesses Durga, the symbol of power and womanhood on earth. This year, for the first time, Kolkata witnessed the worship of transgender Durga idol, marking a positive step towards the attainment of social equality. Even the sex workers living in the red light zone of Sonagachi came up in unison making the Durga Puja days notably enjoyable. Let's not forget that among those million pandal hoppers, Kolkata also boasts of so many Muslims, Christians, Sikhs and people from other communities who have become an integral part of the celebration of Maa Durga in this part of Bengal.

All these years, the celebration of Durga Puja has been witnessing paradigm changes. From the traditional family oriented Puja mode, Durga Puja has been suitably aided with corporate bodies. From festoons, banners to huge sponsorship, this transformation of Durga Puja has been significant and pan Bengali touch has been phenomenal in the changing scenario. The involvement of the non-Bengalis in the celebration of Durga Puja has significantly helped in outreaching the mass appeal of Goddess Durga.  

The hectic rush of life ends in the stillness of death. But the last day of celebration, Bijoya Dashami soon after the immersion of Durga idols, dip the Kolkatans to an inexplicable state of 'sweet though in sadness'. People are in grief and gloom because Maa Durga departs but then the hope remains and does not die like the pattern of human existence. The Divine spirit dormant in us will certainly show up with return of Maa Durga, Durgatinasini in the coming year.  Asche bochor abar hobe!