{"id":26436,"date":"2026-07-11T06:32:32","date_gmt":"2026-07-10T18:32:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.publicholidaycalendar.com\/en\/?p=26436"},"modified":"2026-07-11T06:32:32","modified_gmt":"2026-07-10T18:32:32","slug":"how-i-spent-my-durga-puja-holidays-a-totally-unforgettable-time-with-family-and-festivities","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.publicholidaycalendar.com\/en\/how-i-spent-my-durga-puja-holidays-a-totally-unforgettable-time-with-family-and-festivities\/","title":{"rendered":"How I Spent My Durga Puja Holidays: A Totally Unforgettable Time with Family and Festivities"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.publicholidaycalendar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/pexels-photo-347151-3.jpeg\" alt=\"How I Spent My Durga Puja Holidays: A Totally Unforgettable Time with Family and Festivities\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Hello everyone, I am your dedicated public holiday assistant. Recently, a little friend consulted me about the title of the article: &#8220;How I Spent My Durga Puja Holidays.&#8221; Now I will summarize the relevant problems, hoping to help the little friends who want to know. So grab a cup of chai\u2014or coffee, I don\u2019t judge\u2014and let\u2019s dive into this awesome festival!<\/p>\n<p>Durga Puja is like the Super Bowl of festivals in eastern India, especially in Kolkata. It\u2019s when the whole city transforms into a giant celebration of art, food, and culture. I spent my Durga Puja holidays this year in Kolkata with my extended family, and let me tell you, it was absolutely epic. For days before the main event, my cousins and I were running around helping with the Pandal (that\u2019s the temporary temple structure) decoration in our neighborhood. We hung lights, set up flower garlands, and argued over who got to carry the big statue of the goddess Durga during the procession. I\u2019m not exaggerating\u2014the energy is infectious. The best part? The holidays mean no school or work, so you can fully immerse yourself in the vibe.<\/p>\n<p>During the four main days\u2014Saptami, Ashtami, Navami, and Dashami\u2014my family and I did the whole nine yards. Mornings started with \u201canjali\u201d (prayer offerings) at the local Pandal, where the entire neighborhood shows up in their finest traditional wear. I wore a crisp kurta pajama, and my cousin kept joking that I looked like a Bollywood star. Then came the food. Oh man, the food! We had \u201cbhog\u201d (a special meal offered to the goddess) that included khichuri, labra (mixed veg), and payesh (rice pudding). Honestly, I think I gained five pounds, no regrets. Evenings were for \u201cpandal hopping\u201d\u2014visiting different temporary temples across the city. Each one has a different theme: one year it\u2019s all about ancient Egyptian art, another year it\u2019s a replica of the Taj Mahal. The creativity blows your mind. We\u2019d walk for hours, stopping for street food like phuchka (pani puri) and jhalmuri (spicy puffed rice). My favorite moment was on Dashami, the last day, when we carried the idol of Durga to the river for immersion. There\u2019s something emotional about watching the goddess go, but also joy because you know she\u2019ll come back next year.<\/p>\n<p>The whole holiday felt like a giant family reunion. My grandparents told stories about how they celebrated Durga Puja when they were young, and my little cousins got their faces painted with tiger stripes. Even the rain didn\u2019t dampen our spirits\u2014we just danced in it. If you ever get a chance to experience Durga Puja, don\u2019t think twice. It\u2019s not just a holiday; it\u2019s a whole vibe of togetherness and celebration.<\/p>\n<h2>Questions related to how I spent my Durga Puja holidays<\/h2>\n<p><strong>Q: What is Durga Puja, and why is it such a big deal?<\/strong><br \/>A: Durga Puja is a Hindu festival that celebrates the goddess Durga\u2019s victory over the demon Mahishasura. It\u2019s huge in West Bengal, but also in other parts of India and the diaspora. The holidays usually last 4-5 days, and people take time off work or school to participate in prayers, processions, and cultural events. It\u2019s basically a mix of religious devotion, street art, and non-stop parties.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Q: How long are the typical Durga Puja holidays?<\/strong><br \/>A: In most schools and offices in West Bengal, the holiday period spans from Mahalaya (about a week before the main puja) through Dashami. That\u2019s roughly 10 days off, but the core celebration is from Saptami to Dashami. In other states, you might get 2-3 days as a public holiday. Always check your local holiday calendar\u2014that\u2019s where we come in!<\/p>\n<p><strong>Q: What do people do during Durga Puja holidays?<\/strong><br \/>A: Loads of stuff! Morning prayers, visiting multiple pandals, eating festive meals, shopping for new clothes, watching cultural performances like dance and drama, and of course, the final immersion procession. Many families host get-togethers, and kids especially love the holiday as a break from homework. Some people travel to different cities to see the best pandals. I personally recommend making a checklist of at least five pandals to visit each day\u2014you won\u2019t be bored.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Q: Is Durga Puja only celebrated in India?<\/strong><br \/>A: Nope! The festival is celebrated by Bengali communities worldwide\u2014in the US, UK, Canada, Australia, you name it. Major cities like New York, London, and Toronto have huge Durga Puja events with pandals, food stalls, and cultural shows. So even if you\u2019re not in India, you can still get a taste of the festivities. Just search online for your nearest Durga Puja celebration.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Q: What\u2019s the best way to prepare for Durga Puja holidays?<\/strong><br \/>A: Start by planning your outfits early\u2014everyone dresses up, so you need at least a couple of traditional outfits. Also, book your travel or accommodation if you\u2019re going to a big city like Kolkata, because places fill up fast. Don\u2019t forget to budget for food and shopping; street food and handicrafts are irresistible. And most importantly, go with an open heart. The holiday is all about joy, so leave your stress at home.<\/p>\n<p>In summary, my Durga Puja holidays were a whirlwind of tradition, delicious food, and bonding with family. Whether you\u2019re a first-timer or a veteran, this festival has something for everyone. The key is to embrace the chaos, join the processions, and just soak in the incredible atmosphere. I hope my story gave you a little taste of what it\u2019s like. If you\u2019re thinking of experiencing Durga Puja next year, start planning now\u2014you won\u2019t regret it.<\/p>\n<p>public holiday calendar.COM Thank you for reading, I hope this article can help you fully understand the <b>how I spent my Durga Puja holidays<\/b>, if you have more questions, please contact us. I\u2019m your Holiday Little Assistant, always here to help you make the most of your holidays. Happy celebrating!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Hello everyone, I am your dedicated public holiday assistant. Recently, a little friend consulted me about the title of the article: &#8220;How I Spent My Durga Puja Holidays.&#8221; Now I will summarize the relevant problems, hoping to help the little friends who want to know. So grab a cup of chai\u2014or coffee, I don\u2019t judge\u2014and&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":26435,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_kadence_starter_templates_imported_post":false,"_kad_post_transparent":"","_kad_post_title":"","_kad_post_layout":"","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"_kad_post_classname":"","slim_seo":{"title":"How I Spent My Durga Puja Holidays: A Totally Unforgettable Time with Family and Festivities - Public Holiday Calendar","description":"Hello everyone, I am your dedicated public holiday assistant. 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