Different forms of the Goddess.......

The festive season is all but over for this year and we are all getting ready for the coming year. This was our first puja, after relocating to Kolkata. The puja's at Kolkata are unlike any other puja's in this land. I have been privy to watching Puja's in Shillong, Varanasi and Delhi and the pujas at Kolkata take the cake! There are 3 things, atleast to my mind, that makes the Kolkata pujas what they are; a) The crowds, boy! you got to hand the cake to the bongs for their propensity to crowd into even the smallest of small pujas. B) Artistic sense & creativity - starting from the pandals to the 'Protima' (idol) to the lighting - everything oozes creativity, c) Rolls! Unlike other places, the food that is available at almost all the pandals swings between rolls, chowmein and jhal muri/bhelpuri (made with puffed rice!). The lack of choices for puja food at the pandals is plain frustrating! The only way to access good grub is to go into a restaurant which is not anywhere near the pandals!

Some of Kolkata creativity here...! Enjoy!!