“Durga Pujo Navratri has always been the biggest festival for us Bengalis, no matter where we are. Even here in Hyderabad, it brings us all together in the most traditional way.

This year’s special celebrations at Ravindra Bharathi were memorable, as they were organized by the Department of Language and Culture, Government of Telangana. We merged our Durga Puja rituals with the local Bathukamma festivities. While we performed the Dhunuchi dance, the women beside us carried the beautifully arranged Bathukamma flowers.

All the days of the Durga Pujo are celebrated with great fervor, and the main days—Panchami, Sashti, Saptami, Maha Ashtami, Maha Navami are when we gather with family and friends and visit different pandals across the city. The joy of these days is beyond words. What makes it even more meaningful is seeing people from different cultures come together, which inspires us to make the celebrations even better.”