Festival TourKathmandu → Kolkata
Mahalaya & Shashthi
Arrive on Mahalaya, the dawn invocation that officially begins the festive season. Visit Kumartuli, the potters' quarter, to see artisans giving final touches to clay idols. On Shashthi, witness the Bodhon ritual — the unveiling of the goddess's face and her awakening into the pandal.
Kolkata As per plan
Saptami: Pandal Hopping Begins
The first full day of celebration. Your guide takes you on a curated pandal tour — from traditional bamboo-and-cloth structures in north Kolkata to avant-garde art installations in the south. Each pandal tells a story: some recreate ancient Bengali villages, others address climate change or refugee crises through art. Evening dhak drum performance and aarti.
Kolkata As per plan
Ashtami: The Sacred Heart
The most important day. Early morning pushpanjali — offering flowers to the goddess with collective chanting of mantras. Visit the historic Bonedi Bari (aristocratic family) pujas where rituals remain unchanged for 300 years. Evening sandhi puja, the precise moment when Durga transformed into Chamunda to slay the demons — the most electrically charged ritual of the festival.
Kolkata As per plan
Navami: Feast & Finale
The day of community feasts (bhog) — eat from the goddess's kitchen: khichuri, labra, chutney, and payesh. Visit the Kumari Puja where a young girl is worshipped as the living goddess. Evening visit to the immersion ghats to see the first idols departing on bamboo frameworks, accompanied by drums and dancing.
Kolkata As per plan
Dashami: Immersion & Bijoya
The final day. Join a procession to the Hooghly River for the idol immersion (bishorjon) — a heartbreakingly beautiful ritual of farewell as the goddess returns to her Himalayan home. Participate in Bijoya — exchanging sweets and embraces with strangers who have become family over five days. Evening adda (Bengali intellectual gathering) with local artists and writers.
Kolkata As per plan
Colonial Kolkata & Departure
Morning walk through the colonial heritage of Dalhousie Square — the Writers' Building, St. John's Church, and the Indian Museum. Final Bengali sweet feast at KC Das (inventors of the rosogolla). Departure from Kolkata airport.
Kolkata As per plan
Everything apart from the trip itself is an upsell — tick what you want.
Kathmandu → Kolkata • 6 days • 1 traveller(s) • incl. fees
Rs 232,000
