Mahalaya this year was a sudden friends and family get together full of good food,songs,dances and plenty of adda.

Malda literally has multiple festivals,pujas throughout the year.The number of Kaali mandir is in a class by itself.But come Durga puja ,the fervour amongst those young and old has to be seen to  be believed.

Many places stop vehicular traffic during the evenings during pujo and that helps  in “pratima darshan”,safely.

We started on chaturthi at a neighbourhood pujo,caught up with friends and decided to have ice-creams,while we waited for other friends to catch up.

The mandap decorations were creative,colourful with innovations galore.The silver Durga Pratima of Shibaji Sangha was a big draw and we managed to brave the crowds to reach the pandal.It was worth the struggle.

Malda Durga pujo doesn’t lack grandeur,but the pratima never stops being the Mother Goddess .Its usually traditional and makes one feel the divine presence.

Festivals are best enjoyed with family and friends and that’s the reason Durga pujo is symbolic.Maa Durga visits not alone ,but with her family.

This meant,we then hopped onto Vande Bharat on Panchami night for Kolkata.My mom lives in Kolkata.My sister was visiting for pujo and we were all going to pray together at our apartment complex .Our residential complex hosts the best Durga Pujo and we could hardly wait.

We visited a few  South Kolkata,North Kolkata Durga pujos but mostly spent time at the complex Durga pujo and enjoyed the evening entertainment and enjoyed scrumptious spread  without lifting a finger.Excellent team work and organisation makes our apartment complex pujo exceptional.

We also spent hours chatting with college friends,who could come visit with family on saptami and the firsr ashtami day.No one gets you quite like old friends.

Durga Pujo at our apartment conplex is truly a  family event.The rituals, prayers,community feeling,food,creativity,thoughtful activities for all ages and the stupendous evening entertainment made 2026 outstanding in all respect.
Thank you to all the Pujo committee members and all those who made this Durga Pujo so special.We are seasonal in our visits and the companionship here is   remarkable.
Jai Maa Durga
আসছে বছর আবার হবে🙏🧡🧡🧡