Flavours of Durga Puja

Autumn wind has already started to blow. White clouds floating in the sophisticated blue sky, a soothing shower of rain now and then, white catkins waving their heads—all this has brought a bit relief in the mind of the city dwellers from their regular humdrum.

Autumn's another must happening event, Durga Puja celebration—the main festival of Hindu community is being celebrated in the country.

Blissful goddess Durga will come riding on a horse this year which is believed to bring damage and disorder in earth!

But celebration doesn't know any barrier. The temples have been decorated gorgeously, lights have been lit up already. Preparation for weeklong celebration is going on in full swing.

And what's celebration without food?

Though many people think the Durga Puja festival is all about 'luchi and vaji', but in actual Bangali households prepare a huge verity of food during this festival. Starting from Mahalaya (the starting of Devi-Pokkho) till Bijaya Dashami, Bengali kitchen will be spreading fragrance of mouth-watering food items and the dining table will get full of various dishes of fries, vegetables, fish, meat, sweets and what not!

So, foodies, let's have a look at some of the obvious items we are going to have in this holy festive occasion.

Vegetable items are made with extra care than usual during Durga Puja. Curry of arum spinach is a must eat item at the starting. Besides this, Labra (mixed vegetable) is a common but famous dish which is made with various vegetables. Shukto (an item made with bitter gourd, potato, green banana and brinjal), parwal-mustard curry and tomato chutney are also prepared. And of course brinjal fry cannot even go without mention in any house hold during this festival.

Bengalis' all-time favourite Luchi (one kind of roti) and Alur Dom (vegetarian potato curry) possess a special space in the dining table during this holy festival. Special Bhuna Khichuri or dry Khichuri are made with mung bean are soul-food for many.

Our feast goes incomplete without a bean curry. During puja festival, some people prepare unbroken pigeon-pea curry, mung bean curry and split Bengal gram curry as well.

Without mutton curry the feast of this holy festival is incomplete. On Ashtami or Navami (third and fourth day of Durga Puja), a succulent portion of mutton curry tantalises Bengali tongues.

Hilsha is forever the queen of fish items during this puja. Be it a pan fry or a Shorshe Ilish (hilsha in mustard), it has to be main item in the menu for the last day of Durga Puja, Bijaya Dashami. Besides this, Koi and prawn curries are also favourites.

Paneer Dalna and Dhokar Dalna, curry made of cheese and cheese curd, are two of the famous food items which are made specially during Durga Puja. It is the hot favourite food menu, especially for kids.  

Sweets from the Puja are on the top priority for Hindus and people of other beliefs regardless. Among innumerable sweet items, coconut laddu, laddu made with sugar and flour, different types of Sandesh, and Payesh are commonly made and widely popular among people.