Heirloom recipes, alpona & mahalaya: ‘Friends like family make Pujo special’

For Dhiman Das of KC Das, renowned for their sweets and savories, Durga Puja is a celebration of togetherness. “All through the year, we are busy with work and daily life. Durga Puja is when friends and family reunite under the vibrant glow of pandals and the rhythmic beat of the dhaak.

I truly believe home is where the Puja celebrations are,” he says. “My house fills with joy as loved ones gather to share laughter, stories, and warmth.” Excerpts from the adda…‘It’s our own ghoroa Durga Puja’What began as endless pandal-hopping soon turned into a realisation: most Puja evenings were spent stuck in traffic, catching fleeting glimpses of idols. So, we created our own simple ekchala thakur in the park near my home — no themes, just pure devotion.

Friends stay over, we perform every ritual, share hearty adda, and enjoy home-cooked meals. In north Kolkata, the Raaj Barir Sabeki Puja is unmissable, full of unique charm.

I believe every woman embodies Maa Durga, so for those five days, the men in our house serve food to all the women – a small way of giving back.

‘Every year, Puja magic fills our home’We don’t host a grand Puja, but the festive spirit fills our home. The dhaaks beat, dhuno’s fragrance lingers, and friends and family gather.

Jui phool strings and intricate alpona brighten the space, turning it into a warm celebration of joy and togetherness.‘Mahalaya is when my para truly comes alive’Living near Kumartuli, the heart of idol-making, Puja begins early for me. From Mahalaya, the para comes alive as idols are carried to pandals, promising celebration. Mahalaya night never sleeps—“Maa asche!” echoes through the air. While most rise early for Chandipath, my friends and I stay up all night, listening to Birendra Krishna Bhadra’s timeless Mahishasura Mardini.‘Pujo is about the joy of giving’Puja is not just about indulgence, it’s also about spreading joy. Every year, I carefully select saris and panjabis for friends, keeping their tastes in mind... At home, food is at the heart of the celebration. We gather around home-cooked delicacies, lovingly prepared by our long-serving staff. The traditional recipes makes each meal nostalgic.