I had an amazing Diwali/Kali Pujo this year. Being in Kolkata during the festive season of October was a treat and I got to savour the real essence of both Durga Pujo and Kali Pujo. It's worth mentioning here that while the whole of India worships goddess Lakshmi during the auspicious occasion of Diwali, Bengalis worship a goddess that's the epitome of feminine ferocity - Kali. I, along with many others of my time, identify with Kali more than Durga, simply because she is so unapologetic and bold. Imagine a goddess who roams around the "shamshan ghat" with a "kharga" (sharp weapon), adorned with nothing but a garland of Asura heads/skulls and holding a severed head in one of her four hands. The thought itself gives me goosebumps.
Now, let's get to my Kali Pujo in Kolkata. My friend Trisha and I had planned our visit to North Kolkata well in advance. The day began with a visit to the iconic Fata Keshto Kali Pujo, very close to my old neighbourhood. Once visited by the who's who of Bollywood and Tollywood, this pujo is known to have been started by a yesteryear local don who went by the name of Fata Keshto. The idol here is adorned with tons of real gold jewellery and sports a gold tongue too. This year, the added attraction was the "alpona" in front of the pandal.
This was followed by a mini shoot at Jhamapukur (near the publishing house Deb Shahitya Kutir and the surrounding area), featuring some heritage buildings of North Kolkata.
My friend and I then visited the Jhamapukur and Amherst Street Kali pujo pandals. The Amherst Street idol too sports tons of real gold jewellery and is another iconic pujo of Kolkata.
This was followed by a visit to the Bholanath Dham in Hedua, where we witnessed the annual Fanush Utshob (sky-lantern festival). This event witnesses people releasing sky lanterns of different shapes and sizes, some of them quite creative. This year, the whole compound was teeming with photographers and content creators.
Our last spot for the day was the vintage Broadway Hotel. A legendary hotel that is standing strong since 1937, this one is a heritage lover's paradise. We loved our little chit-chat over some drinks and snacks (Fish Fingers and Mustard Chicken). Though the budget-friendly restaurant could do with some upkeep, we loved the portions and the variety.
Thus ended my Kali Pujo in Kolkata, and I am glad I could experience it in all its glory!
