Cruises will be available in two variations – a leisure cruise and a cruise for watching immersions of Durga idols at Babughat. Both itineraries will depart from the New Babughat jetty.
Durga Puja is an annual Hindu festival dedicated to the victory of good over evil epithomised in the victory of goddess Durga over the shape-shifting and deceptive buffalo-asura Mahishasura. The festival is celebrated across the Indian subcontinent but the most colourful observations are held in the states of West Bengal, Assam, Bihar, Tripura and Odisha. This year, the days of the festival fall on October, 4-8.
To get the most of the festival, head to the capital of West Bengal, Kolkata. Start with pandal hopping. Pandals are special temporary or permanent structures for gatherings during the festivals. Durga Puja pandals are varied and unique featuring different styles and forms.
The festival is also the time to feast. Food stalls can be found around each pandal and along the majority of Kolkata's streets. Home-made fritters, pizzas, chaat papdi, chops and cutlets, Calcutta kathi rolls, delectable biryanis are some of the delicacies that can be found there.
In the evening many pandals will host cultural, dance or music performances and shows. The largest pandals often invite celebrities for their evening shows.
River Cruises in West Bengal Offered for Durga Puja
News in Asia
The West Bengal Tourism Development Corporation Ltd. (WBTDCL) has announced they will organise special cruises along River Hooghly as part of its Pujo Parikrama during Durga Puja this year.