Food
Rice, Chapatti, Roti along with fish is the traditional food of Calcuttans. Rice
and vegetables are the prime food of vegetarians. Most Bengalis love sweetmeats.
Apart from the world-famous Bengali delicacy, Rossogolla, sweetmeats like Chum Chum,
Malai Sandwich, Chena Murkhi, Anarkali and Raj Bhog also grace the average Bengali's
feast. No visit to a Bengali home is complete without a serving of 'Mishti Doi'
- a delicacy made by sweetening yoghurt with jaggery
Culture
Calcutta (Kolkata) is a highly cultured city where everything moves at its own leisurely
pace moves at its own. The current name was a transition from "Kali Ghat" meaning
the land of the Goddess Kali.
'Baro mashe, tero parbo' the Bengali saying, which means 12 months, 13 festivals, epitomises the spirit of Calcutta (Kolkata). Durga Puja, is the most widely celebrated festival in the city. Durga Puja is celebrated for 10 days in the month of October. The festival symbolises the triumph of good over evil, with the Goddess Durga slaying the most powerful demon, Mahisasur. This is the season of gifts. New clothes are purchased. Shops overflow with the latest goods. People visit thousands of puja pandals (makeshift shrines) set up across the city. On the 10th day, Mahadasami, the image of the goddess Durga slaying the demon is carried in decorated carts or trucks in festive processions and is immersed in river Hooghly.
Kali Puja, deifies Kali, the Goddess of destruction. The festival is celebrated towards the end of October or the beginning of November. Kali is worshipped as the Mother Goddess who protects all from evil. The image of Kali usually shows her foot on Lord Shiva's chest, a severed head in one hand, her sword in the other, and wearing a garland of skulls. The actual puja takes place at midnight on the day of the new moon. Kali Puja coincides with Diwali, the festival of lights. Most families clean their houses and light candles all over their houses. Children and adults set off firecrackers all night. It is a night of sheer revelry.
'Baro mashe, tero parbo' the Bengali saying, which means 12 months, 13 festivals, epitomises the spirit of Calcutta (Kolkata). Durga Puja, is the most widely celebrated festival in the city. Durga Puja is celebrated for 10 days in the month of October. The festival symbolises the triumph of good over evil, with the Goddess Durga slaying the most powerful demon, Mahisasur. This is the season of gifts. New clothes are purchased. Shops overflow with the latest goods. People visit thousands of puja pandals (makeshift shrines) set up across the city. On the 10th day, Mahadasami, the image of the goddess Durga slaying the demon is carried in decorated carts or trucks in festive processions and is immersed in river Hooghly.
Kali Puja, deifies Kali, the Goddess of destruction. The festival is celebrated towards the end of October or the beginning of November. Kali is worshipped as the Mother Goddess who protects all from evil. The image of Kali usually shows her foot on Lord Shiva's chest, a severed head in one hand, her sword in the other, and wearing a garland of skulls. The actual puja takes place at midnight on the day of the new moon. Kali Puja coincides with Diwali, the festival of lights. Most families clean their houses and light candles all over their houses. Children and adults set off firecrackers all night. It is a night of sheer revelry.
Spices
Cardamom, Chilly, Clove, Garlic, Ginger, Kokam, Pepper, Turmeric and Vanilla are available in these areas.
