Invisible Cities

Let’s start by addressing the elephant in the room: I, (Debanshee) am an atheist. Yes, a proper non-believer. So, if you came here expecting chants, mantras, or a list of puja rituals, this is not that blog. This is about Durga Puja in Bangalore as I experience it. 

Without prayer, without pandit bookings, without even knowing half the Sanskrit shlokas. It’s about pandal hopping, bhog-eating, dhaak beats, Bengali food, adda, and nostalgia.

Because for me, Pujo is not about worship.
It’s about cultural theater, people-watching, and finding joy in five days of collective chaos.

Tell me, what is Pujo for you?

My First Durga Puja in Bangalore 

When I moved to Bangalore, I worried that Pujo would feel dull. In Kolkata, Pujo is everywhere. On every street corner, in every para, in every conversation.

Bangalore felt quieter. But my colleague/neighbor/ close friend, Koushik, saved me. He said, “Stop sulking, I’ll take you pandal hopping with Kolkata vibes.” And so it started!

That first year, we covered:

• Bengali Association Ulsoor: one of the oldest and most crowded pandals, with proper bhog and dhaak.
  
• Socio-Cultural Association, Koramangala: famous for its creative themed pandals.
  
• Whitefield Cultural Association: a favorite for families living in tech parks and gated communities.
  

I remember standing there, not praying, but grinning. 

The smell of dhuno, the dhaak beats, the food stalls, the loud Bengali chatter, the lovely sarees draped  around..it wasn’t Kolkata. But it was still Pujo.

Questioning Rituals, Choosing My Own

I’ve never been one to follow rituals blindly.
But over the years, I’ve realized it doesn’t have to be about doing everything by the book.

Instead, I focus on the parts of Pujo that feel joyful and connect me to the community. 

For example, 

• Pushpanjali: I usually stand back and watch. It’s fascinating to see everyone so focused in that moment. To me, that’s live theater.
  
• Bhog: This is the one ritual I never miss. The khichuri, labra, begun bhaja, and payesh taste like home. Lip smacking, uff!
  
• Sindoor Khela: Photography time for Instagram. Ofcourse, I do not participate, but the colors sprinkled on White sarees with red borders look cinematic indeed! I have to capture these shots every year, right?
  
• New Clothes Tradition: My favourite bit. Who doesn’t like shopping? That too with purpose here! Pujo is my excuse to bring out all my ethnic outfits and play along with  the desi girl vibe. You get me, don’t you?

All in all, for me, it’s about finding a balance. I honour the spirit of Pujo while celebrating it in a way that feels authentic to me.

I pick what I like and leave the rest. 

Durga Pujo 2025

This year is special because my family is visiting me from Kolkata. If you can’t visit Kolkata during pujo, make Kolkata visit you! 

I am excited to give them a taste of Probaashi pujo, so I’ve made a cute little Durga Pujo in Bangalore itinerary:

South Bangalore Pandals

• Bengalee Association, BTM Layout: Big crowd, great bhog, and evening cultural programs.
  
• Durga Puja at Banashankari BDA Complex: Cozy, community feel, perfect for an adda evening.
  
• HSR Layout Bengali Association: Well-organized and easy to reach if you live in South Bangalore.
  

Central Bangalore Pandals

• Bengali Association, Ulsoor: A must-visit, with a traditional idol and one of the best bhogs in the city.
  
• Indiranagar Sree Sangha: Famous for its cultural performances and beautifully done protima.
  
• Koramangala 3rd Block Puja: Known for unique themes and a buzzing fair-like vibe.
  

I am planning to spend Saptami hoping across South Bangalore pandals. 

On Ashtami, we can cover Ulsoor + Indiranagar + Koramangala. And on Nabami, we can take it slow with adda and food.

I have also planned a detour to Mysore to witness the pompous Mysore Dussehra. And, a quick Bandipur safari for a perfect Pujo ending.

The Durga Pujo Food Festival

Let’s be honest. Bengali food during Durga Puja is the real reason we all plan pandal hopping. Okay, that’s my reason at least!

My checklist every year:

• Bhog at Ulsoor or BTM: Free, simple, and soul-satisfying.
  
• Rolls at pandal food stalls: Double egg chicken kathi roll is non-negotiable.
  
• Mutton chops, fish fry, paturi, mishti doi: Because Pujo is five days of guilt-free eating.

This year, probably I can take my parents to eat at Oh! Calcutta and Bhojohori Manna too. So our food trail will be half pandal, half restaurant.

Sounds good, right? If not, kindly suggest. I am all ears!

Durga Puja in Bangalore vs. Durga Pujo in Kolkata

If Kolkata Durga Puja is a city-wide carnival, then Durga Puja in Bangalore is an intimate cultural pop-up.

In Kolkata, you don’t have to look for Pujo, it finds you. Months ago!
Every street corner has a pandal, every para has its own theme. And the whole city feels like it’s breathing in sync. 

You get swept into the current. Sometimes willingly, sometimes because the traffic leaves you no choice, haha! 

It’s magical, but it can be overwhelming (yes yes, don’t frown, but it’s true!).

Pujo in Bangalore, on the other hand, is quieter, curated, almost deliberate. You plan your day. Pick 3 or 4 pandals, wear something breezy (because traffic!), and make it an event.

And honestly? I enjoy this version too. 

It lets me slow down, linger at each pandal, actually watch the dhaak performance instead of rushing to the next one. 

I get to sit with a plate of basanti pulao and mutton kosha, and taste every bite. I get to strike up conversations with strangers, click photos without being shoved, and end the day feeling full. Not just with food, but with the calm joy of celebration.

Two very very different worlds, you see!

Tips for Pandal Hopping in Bangalore

If you want to experience Durga Puja in Bangalore like a pro, here’s my cheat sheet:

• Start early for bhog: Lines start by 12:30 PM.
  
• Plan your route: South Bangalore pandals can be clubbed (BTM + Banashankari + HSR). Central ones (Ulsoor + Indiranagar + Koramangala) can be done in one go.
  
• Stay back for dhaak in the evening: It’s the most magical part of the day.
  
• Dress up but dress smart: Bangalore weather + traffic = breathable fabrics.
  

Why I Still Celebrate?

By Dashami, things usually start winding down, for obvious reasons. The pandals are quieter, the crowds a little thinner. 

This year, it’s a bit more sad, cause my family will be packing their bags to fly back to Kolkata. Carrying boxes of Mysore Pak and way too many memories from the last five days.

I’ll probably squeeze in one last round of cheat bong food, before heading home. Because I know that tomorrow it’s back to the usual routine. Early alarms, office traffic, Slack notifications, and grocery runs.

But, that’s life, no?

And that’s also what I really love about Durga Puja in Bangalore. 

It’s this short, bright pause in the middle of the year (for Bengalis atleast). Five days to eat calories shamelessly, dress up for no reason, and meet people you don’t see the rest of the year.

Once it’s over, life resumes as normal. 

But it leaves behind a nice aftertaste, like the last bite of payesh. It keeps me (all of us out here) going till the next Pujo rolls around.

Shubho Sarodiya, everyone!