Bengal is a place of culture and festivities. Although the world knows Bengal for its grand Durga Puja celebrations, Bengalis know how we began bracing ourselves for festivals that follow. Right after Maa Durga graces us with her coming, the sooner she leaves, we get over our sorrow of Her departure in just five days. In just five days, the city lights up again for the celebrations of Lokkhi Puja! The street is again crawling with people. The nooks and corners are again decked up with beautiful Maa Lokkhi idols. Chit-chatter and banters again fill up the surroundings.

Oh, we are not finished yet! Brace yourselves, after you have fasted for Lokkhi Puja, adorned your homes with beautiful alponas, and savored delicious bhogs. Because it’s soon Kali Puja on the way! Wait! What is Kali Puja without Graveyard themed pandal and a creepy horror night of Kali Sadhna? Bengalis have a way of grandeur in all festivities and you can see a bunch full of that creative, creepy, fun, puja celebrations in every bit of Bengal.

The Train of Festivals

What follows Kali Puja is a celebration of siblings called Bhaidooj/Bhaiphota. Streets are again crawling with young and old alike bunch of siblings. This time, enjoying food like there’s no tomorrow. Exchanging gifts and a lot of selfies, groupies, and social media flaunting.

The Festivities Don’t Stop here!

Right after kali Puja and Bhaidooj, wait for Jagadhatri Puja, because Bengal celebrates the glory of Goddess in way too many forms! We at Bengal identify Puja celebrations with Places. For instance, a small village at the end of Bengal- Bonga is known for the Glorious Jagadhatri Puja celebrations. From Bonga, a 7 days’ time- travel will land you into gracious and mesmerizing Raash Puja celebrations in Shantipur.

And Counting…                                                          

If you are passing by a street in Kolkata just after Kali Puja and see a mass gathering near the beautiful Ganges, don’t be amazed. It’s another Puja again. This time, it is Chatt Puja. Bengali’s enthusiasm for festivities is admirable. Just after having mutton stew and sour fish for Kali Puja, we come by with our Bihari friends to celebrate Chatt Puja and savor gujiyas! While feasting and fasting, it’s almost round the year and time for Christmas. And when in Kolkata, you cannot miss midnight mass at St. Paul’s Cathedral on Christmas eve. There’s more and you can take a glimpse of all this richness at Bow Barracks, Park Street Carnival, Boat Cruise on Hooghly river, and so on.

The world knows, just after Christmas, it’s New Years’. Why would the state of joy lay behind in celebrations? So, the city decks up again and, in the limelight, shining bright to welcome the new year. The new year begins with Posh Sankranti. People of Kolkata get in the hustle of preparing mouth-watering sweet dishes. Just after, comes the Valentine’s and the love birds fly to beautiful parks of the city. This is followed by Holi or Dol Pournima, as Kolkata likes to celebrate the festival of colors.

The Bengali new year is celebrated just after that In April. This is followed by the festival of sons-in-law – Jamai Shashti. While walking through these beautiful festivals, Kolkata lit up in the light of Ramadaan. The feasting and fasting again go on for one month, with people shopping, eating, and praying to heart’s content.

Here’s an Exercise

We sure know, the list above is not complete and we may even have missed a lot in between or to an endless end. So, carry on and let us know in the comments, a puja, celebration, or event that the city of joy celebrates in all its glory and your favorite ones too.