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Durga Puja has turned out to be more of a social festival. The preparation required to make it successful depends entirely on the contributions from all the sections of the society.  Bangalinet has brought forward these important people who are behind the glory of the festival.

Sweet Confectionary__________________________
The Lake Market branch of Sen Mohashaye, one of the leading sweet confectionaries of Kolkata headed by Mr.Jayanta Sen is the most crowded outlet with at least 200 varieties of Bengali sweets. Known for its excellent quality, the 108-year-old confectionary has 6 more branches in the city, catering to the tastes of Bengalis. Says Mr. Sen to Bangalinet, “ Durga Puja is a special occasion for us. It is the time to enhance the spirit of

the festivity in people by offering them delightful sweets.” With the massive burgeoning of sales during the Pujas they include ‘Makhonbhog’ and a type of ‘Khaja’ besides the Sen Mohashaye specialties like Desh Gourab, Parama, Abar Khabo, Dilkhush, Roast cream, Manohara, Manmatano and hoards of others. The diabetic patients can also enjoy the sweets of Sen Mohasaye as a special sweet called ‘Diabetic sondesh’ is made especially for them.

Saari Shop___________________________
Gariahat, the busy shopping mall of South Calcutta is the most frequented place during the Pujas. For almost forty years Trader’s Assembly, the well-known saari shop, at the juncture of Rashbehari Avenue and Gariahat road has been

  Designer clothes______________________________
Vesh, a boutique with a difference in just 6 years has created quite a sensation in the arena of new age fashion in Kolkata. A house of exclusive designer garments, Vesh specializes in garments for both men and women. An exclusive range of Salwar Kameezes and printed sarees and Kurtas, all of excellent taste awaits the buyers. The puja specials this year are the dress

materials designed with fabric paint along with dresses made with georgette and chikon. The dresses range between Rs.450 and 4000. "We aim at making simple dresses with soft fabric keeping in mind the Kolkata weather and the taste of the Bengali middle class", says the chief designer.

Publishing house of popular puja magazines ______________
Puja Barshikis are special editions of popular magazines published during the Puja. The Bengalis, fond of literature flock to the shops to get these special editions. These editions are all time favourites among children too. Among all the Puja Barshikis, “Sondesh” holds a distinct place in the hearts of the people of Bengal. First published in the year 1913 by Upendra Kishore RayChoudhury, suffered a setback after his demise. But in 1961, Satyajit Ray took up the work and the 1st issue of Puja Barshiki was published then.  This is the 41st issue of Sondesh Puja Barshiki’s publication. Amitananda Das, the current publisher of Sondesh is the son of the late editor Nalini Das. He says, “Books are an integral part of Bengali psychology. Well-known writers and poets give out their best works during this time of the year. 1/6th of the total yearly sale of books are through the sale of Puja Barshikis. Financially, Puja Barshikis are profitable and of course there is the literary value too. Puja for me is the meeting of the deadline and publishing the best works.”

Singer composing songs for the Puja______________________
Haimonti Shukla is a household name in the Bengali world of music. Trained by her father, Pundit Harihar Shukla, Haimonti mastered both Indian Classical and Bangla Adhuniks. Her tireless contribution to the Bengali audience for the last three decades has placed her in the Bengali heart. Durga Puja is for her a time to welcome new things. She remains busy before the pujas with the recording of her new songs. About her Puja records she says, “I don’t see any difference in the songs sung during puja and other times. I try to sing every song perfectly. People who listen to my songs can tell better. But the puja records are something special to me. I’ll surely be disheartened if none of my records come out during the puja.” Durga puja is the biggest and the best of all Bengali festivals and she tries to spend it accordingly. This year after a long time she will be spending the Puja in Kolkata. “For the past few years I had to stay out of India but this year is certainly going to be different. I want to spend the puja by meeting friends and close ones and of course by singing.”

Writer contributing his works in Puja Barshikis________________
Dibyendu Palit is a well-known professional writer of Bengali literature. For him, Durga Puja is the biggest Bengali festival without which Bengali life would have been quiet, gray and dull. He contributes his works in Puja Barshikis but as he chooses to write not more than one or two stories, there is not much of a pressure. Speaking to Bangalinet about the difference between regular writing and writing for puja barshikis he says, “I sincerely try to maintain the proper standards in all my works. I do not make any differences. But what I’ve been observing for quite sometime is that Bengali literature has become dependant on Puja Barshikis. Seventy percent of the works that are published as books later appears in the Puja Barshikis.” Puja for him is staying at home and participating in the celebrations in his apartment complex. Aptly describing his activity then he says, “What I really do is meet people who are busy on other times. “Adda” may be the right word to describe my activity during the puja.”           

A ten-year-old girl_____________________
Kamalika Sarkar, a ten-year-old girl (2001) is pretty excited that the pujas are coming. " Puja means a lot of fun. We'll be pandal hopping all over Kolkata. Then there are also other kinds of fun as there will be a month long holiday. Reading comics and playing games with friends without being bothered are the best things".