Joy Roy Choudhury – Kolkata
West Bengal Tourism Development Corporation (WBTDC), the tourism arm of the West Bengal Government has launched ‘Puja Parikrama’ package tours to attract domestic and foreign tourists. Mamata Banerjee, the state chief minister has given importance on hardselling Durga Puja, the biggest festival of the state, among domestic and international tourists.
Elaborating on the packages, Rajat Basu, managing director, WBTDC told Express TravelWorld, “This year the entire ‘Puja Parikrama’ has been divided into two segments, the first set of packages will take the revellers round the major community and family pujas in the city and the other would take the tourists to the districts.” WBTDC has arranged about seven tour packages in Kolkata and five packages in the districts, he added. The duration of these packages will be about five to eight hours, while some packages with extended duration and even night-stay are also on offer.
The packages unveiled by the WBTDC, include visits to major community puja pandals in the north and southern part of Kolkata and those of the century-old pujas organised by renowned families in the city. Elaborating on the packages, a senior WBTDC official said, “The ‘Sanatani’ package tour will take the tourists to traditional Durga Pujas at Khelat Ghosh Bari, Chhatubabu and Latubabu’s house, Chandra Bari, Rani Rashmoni’s house, Thantania Dutta Bari and Sovabazar Rajbari.”
The ‘Uttara’ tour will cover major community Durga Pujas in North Kolkata at Md Ali Park, College Square, Bagbazar Sarbojanin, Kumartuli Park, Ahiritola, Pathuriaghata, Pancher Pally, Kasi Bose Lane, Telengabagan, Maniktala Chalta Bagan and Rammohan Smriti Sangha all through the three days.
The ‘Dakshini’ package will take revellers to Durga Pujas at Maddox Square, Adi Ballyganj, Ekdalia Evergreen, Singhi Park, Hindustan Park, Deshapriya Park, Mudiali, Shib Mandir, Badamtala Ashar Sangha, 66 Palli, Chetla Agrani, Suruchi Sangha and other puja pandals.
A special one night and two days package to tour the Durga Pujas of Kolkata has also been arranged. The night stay will be at WBTDC’s tourist lodge at Salt Lake. Another package, which includes visit to Durga Pujas in the districts, will cover the neighbouring districts of Hooghly, Burdwan and Murshidabad districts. The Bijoya package is a two-day and three-night tour from Kolkata to Bishnupur.
A river cruise on the river Hooghly to watch the spectacular immersion ceremony of the huge idols of Goddess Durga will also be organised.
