More than a religious festival, Durga Puja is an EMOTION. For every Bengali this a grand homecoming. It is when the air starts smelling like Shiuli fhool. It is when your house-help asks for a Puja bonus in subtle, clever ways. It is when a father saves up all year to buy his children a new pair of shoes and clothes for pandal hopping. It is when streets are lined with chaat, phuchka, fast food stalls, and you are spoiled with a million choices. Ma Durga, the deity is not just a goddess but a family member for every household who returns to her house. This is the time when our heart yearns to visit back to our home.

It has been a long time since I have written a blog. But somehow, a certain aura has pushed me into writing this. Its been a few hours of Mahalaya and @HeadOverMeals23 is back with another food trail which will make your lips swirl with flavors and your mind dance with joy.
So before start pandal hopping, here is a good-to-know list of places to taste the best food during this grandeur festivity.

History

The first grand worship of Goddess Durga in recorded history is said to have been celebrated in the late 1500s. Folklores say the landlords, or zamindar, of Dinajpur and Malda, initiated the first Durga Puja in Bengal. According to another source, Raja Kangshanarayan of Taherpur or Bhabananda Mazumdar of Nadiya organized the first Sharadiya or Autumn Durga Puja in Bengal in c. 1606.

The origin of the community puja can be credited to the twelve friends of Guptipara in Hoogly, West Bengal, who collaborated and collected contributions from residents to conduct the first community puja called the ‘Baro-Aari’ puja, or the ‘twelve-pal’ puja, in 1790. The Baro-Aari puja was brought to Kolkata in 1832 by Raja Harinath of Cossibazar, who performed the Durga Puja at his ancestral home in Murshidabad from 1824 to 1831.

The Baro-Aari puja gave way to the sarbajanin or community puja in 1910, when the Sanatan Dharmotsahini Sabha organized the first truly community puja in Baghbazar in Kolkata with the full public contribution, public control, and public participation. From which the phrase came,

” Pujo manei , Baghbazaar !Baghbazaar! Baghbazaar”

Food and Durga Puja

Kolkata has a plethora of delicacies to indulge in while exploring the magnificent pandals. With an array of flavors and a mélange of ingredients, there’s something about then Bengali feast that makes it so alluring. This is the perfect opportunity to try all the mouth-watering delicacies that are prepared specially and only during the festivals. Here are a few binge-worthy treats along with some places that you will easily find in all the pandals and you should definitely not miss these items.

Phuchka

No matter what there’s at least one obligatory phuchka stall in every Durga Puja pandal. One might call it Gol gappe or Panipuri but there is no way you aren’t fond of having it. This dish brings the perfect delight to start your pandal hopping experience. The sweet, tangy, spicy, sour taste of phuchkas is overpowering for people of all ages.

Just before you enter the majestic Baghbazaar pandal, you will meet a stall right around the corner. Probably the best among all the others. Others include the stall Vivekananda Park, Rajendra’s Phuchka at Dakshinapan behind Rabindra Sarobar Lake, and the famous 17 variety Pravesh Phuchkawala at Alipore. Although I believe every phuchka stall has its own specialty and way of making this delight.

Kathi Rolls

After a flavourful adventure with phuchkas, the next thing you need to binge on has to be a Kathi roll. Available in various preparations and fillings, you can choose on feasting on egg rolls, chicken, and mutton rolls. I still reminisce when my friend had dinner over a double egg double mutton Kathi roll costing Rs150.

Although you might not find a puja pandal in this location, still this place is close to my heart and tummy. Taking a detour to have a bite at Nizams, the original makers of Kathi rolls at New Market is never at a bad idea. Also to mention, Zeeshan, one of the finest roll makers in the town are always good to go location.

Momos

Momo has always been a sensation to every Bengali. These mouth-watering, hand-carved dumplings filled with thick meat along with the chili sauce are a mood setter for the evening or if you are up for the whole night.

Momo just outside Rabindra Sadan Metro Station. Also to have the best mutton and pork momos, you can drop in at the Momo shop near Muhammad Ali Park Puja Pandal. And even if you aren’t close to these places you can check in at any momo stall because no-one ever says no to momos.

Biryani and Mughlai

We all knew this was going to come up at some point. Can you talk about a Bengali festive meal and not mention biryani? That’s next to impossible! The delectable flavors of the classic Bengali biryani with potatoes mixed with the spices and steamed rice and of course prepared with pieces of the classic Bengali biryani with potatoes mixed with the spices and steamed rice and of course prepared with pieces of mutton biryani and the sumptuous leg pieces of Tangri Chicken biryani are all you need to experience the essence of food paradise. Durga Puja is the time to spoil yourself your the kebabs and more.

The best places although to are known to all. But the closest to the famous Puja pandals are Oudh 1590 nearby Deshapriya Park. Arsalan nearby Park Circus Puja Pandal. Also to mention, Mutton Chaap at Royal Indian restaurant, Chicken Rezala at Sabir at Chadni Chowk, Zeeshan and Shiraz , Golden Restaurant at Park Circus.

Chinese

Going off-route again, but who doesn’t like exceptional digressions. May it be Durga Puja or any other happening. My love for Chinese cuisine and Tangra will never go. Dining here at Golden Joy or Mandarin Gourmet has always been a bliss. Hakka Chow Mein, Chili chicken along with Pork wontons and finishing off with fried honey noodles at a cheap price is much more than something to ask for. Also , you can opt for Chowman if Tangra is really far from your location and you want a similar and standard quality of Chinese food,

Misti

After all that divine food, the experience must-end with a heavenly relish. And nothing better than Bengali sweets to end a perfect meal for a perfect day. The secret behind all the Bengali sweetness is the various sweets that are signature to Bengali cuisine, try out for yourself and immerse in the sweet treats. Sondesh, a classic Bengali sweet prepared in a lot of milk and sugar. Your Bengali meal is not complete if you did not try sondesh. However, there are a lot of other Bengali sweets as well to choose from. So do not restrict yourself choose one sweet for one day and enjoy the delicious flavors of rosogolla, rosomalai, rajbhog, kheer kadam and chanar jalebi in rotation.

A visit to Balaram Mallick & Radharaman Mallick, KC Das, Nabin Das ( origin of rosogolla), nokurs and Putiram is a must for ardent dessert and misti lovers’.

Honorable Mentions

And if you are into exploring Bengali cuisine and are ready to savor it’s delicious flavors.

1. Bengali Buffet at 6 Ballygunge Place, Salt Lake or Ballygunge
2. Daab Chingri (Prawn in Coconut, a special Bengali cuisine) at Charnok City, Salt Lake
3. Kochu pata bata Chingri (Prawn with Taro Root leaf paste) at Kasturi, Ballygunge
4. Mutton Kosha at Golbari, Shyambazaar.

These few Bengali speciality restaurents and outlets are the best to have a wonderful Bhuribhoj.

What’s on Sayan’s mind?

Durga Puja for the Bengalis is much more than a festival. It is a carnival and an emotion that marks the time of happy tides. Although 2020 has been a heck of a year with Covid 19 and Amphan cyclone hitting on Bengal, no one really could feel the vibe. But when the Gods are ready to shower the world with happiness who are we to disobey. Its Mahalaya today , the Devi is ready to arrive at her hometown and everyone is up with a boost of joy and energy. Hoping a very prosperous and happy Durga Puja to everyone. May God Bless everyone and happiness spread all over . Would like to conclude this by saying a quote by a friend,

Thamatey Parlo?! MAA ASCHEN!!