This year Novotel Kolkata Hotel and Residences celebrated a one-of-a-kind Durga Puja with Durgabari 2.0 in association with The Telegraph. The celebrations included festive traditions and an assemblage of rituals, multicuisine dining options and wholesome entertainment. Durgabari 2.0 was a meticulously curated pujo experience which was a cultural journey for the guests. From yummy pujo mahabhog to pushpanjali, from the grandeur of Sandhi Puja to an unwinding adda zone and sindur khela, the guests not only experienced pujo, but lived it. Novotel The pandal was located on the front lawn and the theme traditional. The Durga idol was a single chalchitro from Kumartuli. From Sashthi to Dashami, each day was celebrated with gusto which saw a slew of popular names drop by.
Only The Telegraph was there. Here’s an album.
The bonedi bari thakur dalan style puja pandal was a beautiful sight as was the 14-ft idol of goddess Durga.
British Deputy High Commissioner Nick Low (right) with Novotel general manager Arjun Kaggallu, at Durgabari.
Gaurav Chakrabarty and Ridhima Ghosh enjoyed the Mahabhoj at the Eiffel ballroom.
Priyanka Sarkar posed in front of Devi Durga.
Prosenjit made the most of the season’s festivities by playing the dhaak.
Ritabhari Chakraborty took part in evening arati rituals and enjoyed the Durgabari grand festive buffet at The Square with her family.
From Bengali staples like begun bhaja, ucche bhaja to Tangra-style Chinese and different chaat counters, the menu had everything, and was relished by the residents and guests.
“We are indeed elated to have Maa Durga at Novotel Durgabari again this year post our first successful event in 2021. The entire team at the hotel joined me in thanking all our valued guests, stakeholders and most importantly our passionate team members who made this event a memorable one. We had a fabulous five-day affair at the hotel with our guests visiting Maa Durga at our Durgabari and enjoying the authentic pujo experience with all rituals starting from Pushpanjali, Sandhi Puja, Devi Boron and Sindur Khela along with our food and beverage offerings curated by our culinary experts at the hotel across all our outlets. My team and I look forward to seeing you all during the year to enjoy our food and beverage offerings at the various outlets in the hotel and to welcome Maa Durga back in our Durgabari 3.0 in 2023,” said Arjun Kaggallu, general manager, Novotel Kolkata Hotel and Residences.
Anindya Chatterjee and Sauraseni Maitra and posed in gorgeous festive attires in front of the pujo-themed decor.
Pictures: Rashbehari Das