Delhi may not be Kolkata, but the national capital sure knows how to bring the vibes of the City of Joy. If you think Durga Puja is only about CR Park and pandal hopping, you are missing half the emotion. From Sindoor Khela to trying authentic Bengali sweets, here are a few experiences you must have in Delhi this Durga Puja.

Durga Puja Experiences To Must Have In Delhi

Add these experiences to your wishlist to try on this Durga Puja in Delhi with your friends and family.

1. Bengali Sweets At Authentic Shops

Before or after visiting pandals, you can also do Bengali sweet shop hopping in Delhi with your friends. Bhimsain's Bengali Sweet House, Bangla Sweet House, and Annapurna Bhandar are some of the oldest sweet shops, known for authentic Bengali sweets.

2. Early Morning Pushpanjali

This is a beautiful tradition where devotees offer prayers and flowers to Goddess Durga on the morning of Durga Puja and Kali Puja. You can visit the  Chittaranjan Park Kali Mandir Society or Matri Mandir in Safdarjung Enclave to witness and participate in this beautiful tradition.

3. Witnessing Dhunuchi Nach

For the unversed, Dhunuchi dance is a traditional Bengali devotional dance performed during Durga Puja to honour and please Goddess Durga. In this dance form, dancers hold a Dhunuchi Nritya and perform to the heavy, energetic beats of traditional drums called dhak. This also usually takes place during aarti on Ashtami and Dashtami. You can see this at a local Durga Puja celebration in Delhi.

4. Witness Sindoor Khela

On Vijayadashami afternoon, go to CR Park, GK 2 or Mayur Vihar puja. Watch married Bengali women in white and red sarees smear sindoor on Maa Durga and then on each other. It is beautiful, powerful and very photogenic.

5. Try Street Food In CR Park

There are several popular street food shops at CR Park, where you can try chatpata food after visiting the pandal. Raju Chaat Corner, Dadu Cutlet Shop and Kolkata Biryani Shop are some of the popular shops in the area.

6. Immersion At Geeta Ghat

Yamuna River's Geeta Ghat is the primary designated site for Maa Durga Visarjan on Vijaya Dashami. Due to strict guidelines from the National Green Tribunal (NGT) and local authorities regarding Yamuna River pollution, direct idol immersion in the flowing river at traditional spots like Geeta Ghat has been heavily restricted or redirected. But you can witness the immersion as the government routinely sets up temporary eco-friendly artificial ponds and designated pits nearby.

7. Fun at Pujo Mela

CR Park Mela Ground hosts a beautiful Pujo Mela every year. You can go on rides, try different street food and also play different games at the mela. Not just CR Park, several mela will be hosted in Delhi across different areas.
Pandal hopping is fun, but these rituals are what make Durga Puja an emotion in Delhi. This year, don't just click photos, live the pujo.
(Image Credits: Pinterest)
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