What is a Durga Puja without street food? No matter how much you are full, you always seem to have a little space in your tummies for some lip-smacking phuchkas, colourful chaats or maybe just an egg roll. Yes, Durga Puja in Kolkata is not just about pandal-hopping, dressing up to the nines or hanging out with friends- it is also about food. Visit any famous pandal in Kolkata and you are bound to find an array of street food vendors lined up outside. So much is the love for street food in Kolkata, this year, Kolkata decided to present its citizens with a Phuchka-themed pandal.
Yes, you heard it right! A Phuchka-Themed pandal- with glass boxes filled with those tiny balls of joy as they are lined up along with phuchka pieces in sal-leaf cones put up as decors. This innovative pandal can be seen at Behala Natun Dal, Kolkata. The makers of the pandal have aply named it 'Tushti'
The pandal has been meticulously designed to showcase the entire process of preparing phuchka, from the initial steps of creation to their presentation in a glass box. It includes elements such as rolling pins and boards, glass boxes containing phuchkas, walls adorned with this popular fried delicacy, cane stands, and even phuchkas served in saal pata. The level of attention to detail in every corner is truly remarkable.
The creative concept of this Durga Puja pandal in South Kolkata has garnered significant praise from netizens. One of them took to X (Formerly Twitter) and wrote, "I am amazed at the depth of creativity in India. Here a whole pandal is made of puchkas with artists from Bengal. I wish to work in this area to highlight the rich creativity of India. Tala Park I love my India"
While another one said, "Amazing!! But in the humid subtropical climes, won’t Phuchka get soggy? Am sure they must’ve thought it over …wish I could do a puja pandal hopping in Kolkata"
Not just the pandal, the idol is also mesmerising. In shades of red and blue Maa Durga is seen in a yogic posture with her children in baby forms placed beside and in front of her.
Durga Puja this year will be held from October 20 (Mahashashthi) to October 24 (Vijay Dashami)