A Newbie's Guide To Durga Puja In Kolkata

For first-time visitors to Kolkata during Durga Puja, the experience can be truly overwhelming. Beautifully done-up pandals spring up at every turn while colourful banners and festoons compete for your attention—some enticing you to shop, others cautioning against health hazards. The air is filled with loud music punctuated by shrill announcements. The streets are alive with festively dressed crowds, constant traffic jams, dazzling lights, and vibrant food stalls lining the pavements. It feels like you've stepped into a world all its own.