On Mahalaya this year, I was waiting at Kolkata’s Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport, sad yet excited to board my flight to the States — to visit my sister — for the third time. The feeling of missing out on Pujo in Kolkata made me sulk, but little did I know that this trip would turn out to be the best one so far.
My three-week itinerary, while staying at my sister’s place in Boston, was indeed colourful. Besides the experience of attending every Bengali’s most-awaited festival — Durga Puja — in the USA for the first time, we also had the privilege of witnessing the mesmerising Northern Lights, which wasn’t on our travel list. These unplanned surprises added brownie points, making this holiday top the list of memorable trips to the US, unlike my previous two travels, which had great experiences but they weren’t enough to top the list.
My second tour, in December 2022, was my first solo trip to visit my sister. While the weather wasn’t as pleasant, we carved out an itinerary so that I caught a glimpse of fireworks on New Year’s Eve, experienced snowfall and a Disney-movie style Christmas, and feasted on sumptuous food.
A walk down New York's Times Square is a must-have experience for many visiting the US Shutterstock
Rewind to 2019 and my first trip was special in many ways. It was a trip of many firsts — the 18-hour-long journey, experiencing a Hollywood neighbourhood, tasting American classics, walking the streets of Times Square, catching a glimpse of the White House, and much more.
However, as I said, this year’s travels surpassed them both.
Falling for Fall
Fall colours at its peak
Just after recovering from jet lag — rather quickly, thanks to my enthusiastic sister — we started off our family holiday with a weekend getaway in Vermont. It was the best image of natural beauty I have seen till date.
The rows of warm Fall colours were a treat for the eyes. The scarlet, gold, and red with some shades of green reminded me of the default Windows desktop wallpapers from my childhood — only this was real. On our way back to Boston through the Kancamagus Highway, we caught some more glimpses of the peak fall foliage, which this route is best known for.
A drive down Kancamagus Highway shows off Fall colours in their full glory
While I was missing out on puja parikrama back in Kolkata, the pleasant breeze making you feel the impending winter, the picturesque Fall foliage, and pumpkin and apple-cider flavoured delicacies made up for it. I have no regret in saying that this was indeed better.
Probashi Puja
As someone born and brought up in Kolkata, leaving the city during Durga Puja seems like a sacrifice. Little did I know that New Jersey’s MAA (Maitree Association of America) would not let me feel the absence as acutely. No exaggeration, but MAA’s USP ‘inclusiveness and homecoming’ was served at every step at the Hammarskjold Upper Elementary School over the weekend, as they celebrated this most awaited festival. Over 100 families, toddlers to senior citizens, all dressed up in saris and dhotis, brought in the perfect festive fervour. While you cannot expect the Kolkata Pujo vibe, this experience was much more than I could have asked for away from the city.
Durga Puja celebrations organised by Maitree Association of America in Jersey City
From the decor to the lip-smacking food, the Puja fever could be felt all around. Prepared by MAA members themselves, the spread of Bengali delicacies was surely a probashi’s dream feast during Durga Puja.
After indulging in some khichudi, alur dom, vegetable pakoda, rohu fish curry, and every Bengali’s favourite kosha mangsho, along with paayesh and sandesh, I explored MAA’s celebration highlight — their mela. From clothes and custom jewellery, to paintings and home-decor, they had it all. What caught my attention was that everything on sale was handcrafted, and this was indeed a great platform for budding entrepreneurs.
The mela is a highlight of the Durga Puja celebrations
The other highlight of the two-day event was the cultural programmes. Members showcased their myriad talents before artistes from West Bengal took the stage. We got a chance to listen to the magical duo of Sourendro-Soumyajit on the first day, but couldn’t watch singer Lagnajita Chakraborty the next day, as we returned to Boston. Little did I know then that my final week in the US would bring the experience of a lifetime.
Aurora magic
Witnessing the northern lights in Boston
The week after Puja, the vibrant Aurora Borealis put on a dazzling show across Massachusetts, much to everyone’s surprise. Right outside her house in Quincy, Boston, my sister first noticed strips of colour in the sky late at night. My parents and I followed her to the lawn, where my brother-in-law was ready with his phone camera to capture the beauty. I was simply awestruck by the glimpse of purple and green lights that we could see. Not only did it take away the post-Puja blues, but automatically moved this trip to the top of the list of Best US Trips.
