Places to visit during Durga puja

One of the most widespread and big festivals celebrated in India, Durga Puja, is topping the charts beyond doubt in West Bengal. It is that time of the year when fun, frolic, and reunions with family are on schedule. The festival, in honour of the victory of Goddess Durga over the buffalo demon Mahishasura, illuminates with colours, events displaying cultural performances, and feasts galore. Presenting below are a few of the best places in India to celebrate Durga Puja this season with your family:

1. Kolkata, West Bengal

Why visit?

The heart and soul of Durga Puja have got to be Kolkata. On this day, the entire city is remodelled into a kaleidoscope of art and culture.

HIGHLIGHTS: Great themes, innovative idol design, and well-known icons like those at Kumartuli Park and College Square draw maximum praise. Not to be missed are the cultural shows running around the corner and traditional Bengali sweets, especially Sandesh and Mishti Doi. -

Family Activities: Engage with local camps and workshops to learn more about traditional crafts. Street food tours have to be on the agenda for the family.

2. Bhubaneswar, Odisha

Why visit?

Amidst the ancient temples and rich heritage, the city of Bhubaneswar

reverberates with joy during Durga Puja celebrations. - Vibrant pandals and Odia traditions related to rituals give life to the city during these five days, valuable to sight. Famous 'Maa Durga' idols made out of mud are worth seeing. - One can spend day time with visits to nearby archaeological sites like Khandagiri Caves and Udaygiri Hills. Other than this, there is evening merrymaking in its celebration.

3. Mumbai, Maharashtra

Why visit?

The reasons include a great combination of modernity and heritage oozing out of Mumbai's Durga Puja, making it an attractive destination for families.

- High points: There are several major pandals staged all across the city of Dadar and Juhu-being two of the most important ones. A few of the names of the same are Shivaji Park Pandal.

- Family Fun: Buying Pooja clothes in the local bazaars and relishing the varied cuisine of Maharashtrian and Bengali cuisine in popular eateries.

4. Delhi

Why: The city of Delhi wears a cosmopolitan cultural outlook; Durga Puja is one lively celebration in the city, especially among the many community groups that inhabit it.

Events to attend: Note that big pandals attract scores of visitors in places like CR Park. The flavour of Bengali culture amidst the exuberance of Delhi imparts a different twist to the festival itself. Family Activities: Join the cultural performances and fairs organized around the pujas. One can take some time off between festivities to see local sights such as India Gate or Qutub Minar.

5. Assam

Why visit? The charm of nature and rich culture is an added attraction for tourists who visit Assam during Durga Puja. -

Highlight: During that time, exquisitely lit pandals lining the Brahmaputra River were major highlights. One might come across different traditional dance forms of Assam.

- Family Activities: River cruises or visits to Kaziranga National Park nearby are added fun with wildlife adventure with the festivals.

6. Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh

Why visit?

The spiritual aura of Varanasi makes the celebrations of Durga Puja another dimension altogether.

- Highlights: Fun times with Ganges River rituals amid local festivals.

- Family Activities: Ganges River boat rides with a lot of aarti fairs at sunset.

7. Darjeeling, West Bengal

Why visit?

The scenic setting of this hill station makes it the ideal place to capture Durga Puja amidst such wonderful landscapes.

- Highlights: Explore a few uniquely traditional rural pujas against the breathtaking sceneries

of the Himalayas.

- Family Activities: Toy train rides across picturesque mountains, tea tasting sessions at local tea estates.

Celebrating Durga Puja across these vibrant destinations provides an enriching experience filled with culture, tradition.