Bengal Gets International Tourism Award

West Bengal has always stood out as one of the most coveted cultural destinations to visit in India. Being awarded the International Travel Award 2023 by a global organisation of travel writers only further affirms its continued importance and relevance as a prominent cultural hub in the world today. 

The state was recently selected as the Best Destination for Culture by the Pacific Area Travel Writers Association (PATWA), which adheres to the principles of the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the United Nations (UN), and the UNWTO. 

This news couldn't have come at a more opportune time, with the ever-vibrant festival of Durga Puja just around the corner. 

Best Places To Visit In West Bengal During Durga Puja 

To make the most of the cultural destination, consider planning a Durga-puja-themed trip to West Bengal. Here are some places you can visit to catch the best Durga puja scenes.

• Kolkata: 

The entire city comes alive during Durga puja, taking on a bride-like appearance. It’s a larger-than-life affair in its entirety, especially with some of the purely traditional pujas being the star attraction for locals and tourists alike. 

Birbhum: The celebration here is slightly different from that in the rest of West Bengal and more representative of the state’s folk culture. Also, rather than the Durga Puja pandals, the idols are a sight to behold. 

• Durgapur:

The theme-based pandals in Durgapur will take your breath away with the sheer artistry, scale, and exuberance. Some of the famous Durga Puja pandals include Buddha Bihar, Fuljhor Sarbojoni, Agrani Sanskritik Parisad, and Chaturanga. 

Apart from these, some other must-visit destinations for Durga Puja in West Bengal include 

• Bankura
• Jalpaiguri
• Cooch Behar
• Siliguri

Food To Enjoy During Your Visit

Besides being a visual treat, the Durga Puja festivities can be quite the culinary feast.

Food is a key part of any cultural celebration, so here are a few dishes you’ll be remiss to skip if you’re in West Bengal during Durga Puja.

• Bhoger Khichuri
• Kolkata egg roll
• Sandesh
• Kolkata Chicken biryani

Bhoger Khichuri

Khichdi is universal to nearly all types of regional Indian cuisines. Bhoger khichuri is specially prepared as prasad during auspicious occasions in West Bengal. This delicacy is usually accompanied by a few other irresistible foods like niramish aloor dom, bhoger labra, begun bhaja and chatni.

Kolkata Egg Roll

Your visit to Kolkata is incomplete without the famous egg roll. This scrumptious street food consists of egg-coated paratha that is both crispy and soft, encasing refreshing veggies. 

Sandesh

Nolen gurer Sandesh is core to Bengali culture, and no celebration can take place without it. It is a soft melt-in-your-mouth kind of sweet made from milk and jaggery. No matter how many you eat, you will find yourself relishing every bite of this quintessential Bengali sweet. 

Kolkata Chicken Biryani

Different from all the other biryani varieties in India, the Kolkata chicken biryani can be enjoyed as a meal in itself instead of with accompaniments like salan or raita. It is a fragrant and spicy affair made from basmati rice, chicken, potato, boiled eggs, and more! 

Some of the other delicacies you can enjoy in West Bengal during Durga Puja include 

• Fish fry 
• Luchi
• Vegetable Chop
• Shorshe Ilish 
• Shingara
• Rosogolla 

The West Bengal Durga Puja festivities are a unique cultural experience of non-stop exuberance. Book your stay at resorts by Club Mahindra to experience West Bengal in all its glory. Given the building enthusiasm around it, this is perhaps the best time to start planning your travel itinerary of the best places to visit in West Bengal. Its rich heritage is a beautiful amalgamation of diverse cultures, dialects, cuisines, architecture, and fascinating history. In addition, the breathtaking scenery, gushing seas, vast deltas, and deep forests, make West Bengal one of the best cultural places to visit in India.