Once a month-long affair, Chandi Mela at Sakherbazar in Behala is now a 10-day celebration of cultural legacy that was initiated by Mahesh Chandra Roychowdhury way back in 1792
Photographs by Sannidh RaychaudhuriAlthough the Chandi Puja is observed for four days, the fair continues to be a crowd-puller for two decades
The fair is a carnival with more than 500 stalls selling a mind-boggling array of food, home decor, toys and other utilities
It opens up avenues for small businesses. Several stalls have been around for years and at the same location. In picture, a carpet seller stacks up the best of his offerings at the fair and a stall sells artificial flowers and plants
Home decor and kitchen utilities polished and carved out of wood on sale at the fair
Chandi Mela sparks nostalgia among local residents. Here, one can find toys popular back in the days
Besides the usual phuchka and jalebi, relish ‘Dhakai kochuri’, ‘pithe’, ‘patishapta’ and more. In picture, a stall sells delicacies from Dhaka and Barishal in Bangladesh
Feel the thrill at the mela on different rides. From disco dance to merry-go-rounds — there’s something for everyone
The fair also has a section for ceramics where more than 10 stalls sell everything from mugs and cups to bowls and plates
This year, the fair began on December 7 and will continue till December 17. All stalls start opening up from late afternoon