‘Bhog, mishti make festivities sweeter’

Durga Puja is a celebration of tradition and togetherness. Anjali Jewellers owners Annargha Uuttiya Chowdhury, his wife Baijyantti, daughter Anjalee, and son Amitabha cherish it as a time to reconnect at their ancestral home.

We spent an afternoon with the family to know what Pujo means to them.What does Maa Durga signify for your family?Annargha: The goddess symbolises strength and endurance. Her arrival brings joy, and though her departure brings tears, she leaves us with hope, blessings, and love, as we await her return.Baijyantti: I’m grateful to Maa Durga for guiding me through life’s highs and lows. Her homecoming brings hope, resilience, and renewal. Though she must leave, she promises to return, and we wait joyfully —Asche bochor abar hobe!Anjalee: For me, Durga Puja is not just about Maa’s victory, but also a celebration of the strength and spirit that every woman carries within her.

Her spirit resides in each woman.Amitabha: Maa’s homecoming is pure joy. I love it when the entire family gets together and join in the festivities. The energy is so infectious that even the quietest hearts join in.

Food is an integral part of puja. What about the Chowdhury family?Annargha: As a foodie, Durga Puja is a feast every day! From mangsho to ghugni and an array of fish dishes, my Bengali foodie soul is fully pampered.

Baijyantti: Ashtamir bhog has a divine taste – for me, it’s an unmatched meal.Anjalee: Pujor breakfast is my favourite. We savour luchi, daal, alu’r sobji, gur and sweets.Amitabha: One of the sweetest parts of Durga Puja for me is indulging in a wide variety of mishti — rosogolla, gulab jamuns, mishti doi.‘Pujo means more with loved ones’Anjalee: Pujo means laughter, hide-and-seek with cousins, the sound of dhaak, and sacred rituals. These carefree yet spiritual moments make every celebration special.Amitabha: Pujo is city pandals with friends & family times at our ancestral home. The rituals, and shared meals make celebrations unforgettable.Pics: Asish Saha