#bengalisquad

শুভ মহালয়া।।। . . Mahalaya marks the beginning of countdown for the biggest bengali festival, Durga Puja. It is believed the deity starts her journey to come down to earth after defeating the demon, Mahisasura. The festive mood is in its prime for the Bengalis across the world over. . . The occasion of Mahalaya also has significance for the lanes of the potters in Kumartuli in Kolkata, where the Goddess is given her eyes, in what is called as "Chokkhudaan". "Chokkhudaan" takes place at the break of dawn on Mahalaya, where the potters paint the eyes of Durga. The banks of the rivers are also thronged by worshippers from dawn to perform the ritual of 'tarpan'. The fervour and festivity surrounding Durga Puja start with Mahalaya. Idols of Goddess Durga are transported to various pandals from this day, with the onset of the last round of preparation for the grand festival. . . Mahalaya also plays host to a cultural event of some significance with the All India Radio program 'Mahishasura Mardini'. 90% of bengalis wake up year from every part of the world at 4am to the beautiful recitation of the scriptural verses of the 'Chandi Kavya' along with various devotional songs. . . In Kolkata, it's grand. People from all across the world comes down to experience the grandest and colorful festival. The pomp and show is extravagant. It's definitely a must see, must do thing for anyone in their lifetime. Many bengalis who have left their home in Kolkata in search of a better life tries to come back during this period to celebrate with their family and friends. . . Keep following @bongfooodie to experience some festive moments. . . #bongfooodie #kolkatabuzz #bengalisong #bengalisquad #bengalis #mahalaya2019 #mahalayamorning #durgapuja #bengalifestival #followers #festiveshopping #follower #kolkata #indianfestival #bengalistyle #kolkatablogger #ashlopujo #mahalaya #kolkatafashionblogger #bengalipeople #subhomahalaya #following #kolkatadiaries #devipaksha #followforfollowback #kolkataphotography #mahalayaspecial #hindufestival #justbengalithings @kolkata_goli @ashlopujo (at Kumartuli) https://www.instagram.com/p/B29gDNBF11m/?igshid=1nmhrcyd5hni0

#throwbackthursday Just because circumstances change doesn’t mean commitment do. . . Due to many changes in life and career, I almost stopped using my camera which was a lifeline for me. I spent a fortune to get it fixed few months back and still it was lying in the closet. Last week, fighting my laziness I picked up my camera and headed to the now busy allies of Kumartuli, a small neighborhood producing clay idols for across the world. . . I was awestruck at their sculpting prowess. The condition at which they are staying and manufacturing the masterpieces is commendable. The stories behind some of the sculptor is inspiring too. Though they have brisk business across the year but Durga Puja is their biggest market. As we loitered around the workshops, I caught a frame behind a tarpaulin covered workshop. The artist was giving eyes to the goddess. In Hindu mythology, it's considered sacred since it is believed to give life to the idol. Since I am much of a non-believer, I was thrilled to see the care with which he painted the eyes. Every stroke and the eyes started to open up..Durga Puja is here and bengalis are already counting days! . . Happy to be back with my camera, I took a resolution to use it more often. I have quite some plans for the Durga Puja and hope, I can make them right! Please do follow Photolicious Inc. on Facebook. . . Follow me on @bongfooodie for my life mis-adventures and experiences. . . #throwback #durgapuja2019 #kolkatafashionblogger #bengalisquad #bengalisaree #kolkatabuzz #durgapuja #ashlopujo #throwbackthursdays #followforfollowback #kolkata #throwbacks #kolkatablogger #bongfooodie #kolkata_igers #throwbackthursday #followers #kumortuli #bengalifestival #bengalis #kumartuli #bengalistyle #kolkatadiaries #hindufestival #indianfestival @kolkata_goli #lbbkolkata #canon #majorthrowback (at Kumartuli) https://www.instagram.com/p/B24TmF7gouB/?igshid=12mb55djfxn8q

I want you… No secrets… No games… No lies. . . This was my first emotion as soon as I saw the street food seller making Papdi Chaat. Bengalis are no nascent to their love for aloo and I believe, only in Bengal, the chaatwala knows the secret. The Papdi Chaat is fully loaded with peanuts, aloo makha, coconut and garnished with jhuri bhaja, tok jhaal mishti chutney and some yogurt. . . At ₹50 a plate, it's havoc khete (colloquial for mind blowing). The best part was that being in the IT sector region of Kolkata, they have become cashless. Most of the street vendors are insisting to pay through UPI which is a positive change. Since not always you won't be looking for a heavy meal, the chats come quite handy as working snacks! . . Keep following @bongfooodie for more street food adventures and travel snippets. . . #justbengalithings #chaat #bengalisquad #kolkatafoodblogger #streetfood #indianstreetfood #bengalspecial #indianchaat #streetfoodfestival #chaatmasala #following #papdichaat #bengalis #foodies #bengalistreetfood #followforfollowback #follower #kolkatastreetfood #chaatlove #follow #foodiesofindia #followers #foodporn #foodgasm #shoutoutforshoutout #foodblogger #bongfooodie #eatlocal #shoutout4shoutout (at Sector-V; Salt Lake City) https://www.instagram.com/p/BzfvDQmlBsP/?igshid=1hpwsswrn8o47