Complete Guide to Durga Puja
2025: Kolkata Metro Smart Card Trails 🎭🚇💳
📑 Table of Contents
1.
⚠️
Disclaimer 📝
2.
🌸🎭 What
This Guide Offers 🚇💳✨
3.
🚇💳 The
Magic of the Metro Smart Card 🎭🌸
4.
🏛️🎭
Itinerary 1 – North Kolkata Heritage Trail 🌆🌸🚇💳
5.
🌆🎭
Itinerary 2 – Central Kolkata Classic Trail 🚇💳✨
6.
🎨🌸
Itinerary 3 – South Kolkata Theme Trail 🎭🚇💳
7.
🌆🏮
Itinerary 4 – Salt Lake & New Town Bonus Trail 🚇💳✨
8.
🍲✨ Food
& Festive Extras 🚇💳🎭
9.
🪔🎉
Conclusion – The Joy of Unlocking Pujo 💳🚇🌸
The Citizen Advocate Summary: Declaring
April 11 as Safe ePay Day
Proposing April 11 as Safe ePay
Day to mark UPI’s pilot launch on April 11, 2016, by NPCI with 21 banks,
initiated by Dr. Raghuram G. Rajan in Mumbai. This initiative celebrates UPI’s
seamless integration of banking and merchant payments.
April 11 – Declare ‘Safe ePay
Day’,
Yes,
April 11 is vacant in the UN Observance Day calendar
The Joy of Safe
& Seamless Pandal Hopping in Kolkata with a Metro Smart Card 🏮🌸
👉 Plan your Kolkata
Durga Puja 2025 pandal hopping 🎭🌸 with the Metro Smart Card 💳🚇.
4
itineraries, food stops, tips & hacks for a seamless festive journey.
🪔✨ Kolkata Durga Puja 2025: The Magic of Pandal Hopping with
the Metro Smart Card 💳🚇🎭
🪔✨ Intro — From Bengaluru to Kolkata: Unlocking Pujo
Magic via the Metro Smart Card 💳🚇
Durga Puja is not just another
festival. It is, in every sense, an epic narrative woven into the streets of
Kolkata 🎭🌸. Each
autumn, the city transforms into a living artwork — with pandals rising like
palaces 🏮, dhaak beats 🥁 rolling like thunder, and
the scent of shiuli flowers 🌼
lingering in the evening air. For Bengalis, it is both worship and celebration;
for visitors, it is an initiation into a world where faith meets festivity.
I’m writing this from Bengaluru
🌆, a
thousand kilometers away, where Pujo arrives in smaller community halls,
through modest yet spirited pandals. But Kolkata? Kolkata during Pujo is
something else entirely — a festival that consumes the city, stitches it
together, and then leaves memories that last all year long.
And yet, despite its beauty,
pandal hopping can also be overwhelming. Thousands throng the streets 🌊, traffic grinds to a halt
🚖❌, and popular pandals
often have queues stretching for hours ⏱️. That’s when the city’s first underground hero
quietly shines: the Kolkata Metro 🚇.
At the center of this story lies
one simple object: the Smart Card 💳. A little piece of plastic that saves you
from queues, makes your travel cheaper, and gives you precious time back — time
you can spend gazing at a chandelier in a pandal, tasting phuchka at a street
corner, or listening to dhaak beats deep into the night.
This blog is my attempt to
imagine and map that experience — part armchair travelogue 🛋️, part practical
planner 📝, and
part ode to Pujo’s rhythm 🥁🌸.
👉 Think of it as your festival companion:
whether you have one night, three nights, or the whole Pujo week, this guide
shows you how to unlock Kolkata’s Durga Puja with the Metro Smart Card 💳🚇.
⚠️ Disclaimer 📝
This guide is a personal
reflection and research-driven post 📚🔍, written from my base in Bengaluru
🌆. My lens
is part outsider’s wonder 🌸👀, part
planner’s precision 📊🗂️.
It does not represent the
official views ❌🏛️ of
Kolkata Metro Rail 🚇, Durga
Puja committees 🙏, or any
government body 🏢. Please
check ✅ the latest Metro timings,
Smart Card rules 💳, and pandal
access 🏮 before
traveling.
🌸🎭 What
This Guide Offers 🚇💳✨
This isn’t just a list of famous
pandals 🏮. It’s a curated festival
playbook 📝✨ that
blends:
- 🚇 Metro-linked
itineraries 🛤️ —
heritage, classics, themes, modern.
- 🎭 Stories
& cultural notes 📖 —
why each pandal matters.
- 🍲 Food
trails 😋 —
snacks, sweets, chai, and rolls.
- 💳 Smart
Card hacks 🔐 —
save time, money, and energy.
So whether you’re:
- 🌃 In
town for just one night ⏳,
- 🎉 A
visitor with 3–4 evenings 🌙🌙🌙, or
- 🌈
Lucky enough to spend the full week 🗓️,
this guide ensures your Pujo is
lived fully — with joy 🌸, rhythm 🥁, and immersion
🌊.
🚇💳 The
Magic of the Kolkata Metro Smart Card During Pujo 🎭🌸
🌟 A Quick History of Kolkata Metro
🚆
Kolkata Metro was India’s first
underground rapid transit system 🚇, launched in 1984. For Kolkatans, it is more
than transport — it is nostalgia, pride, and everyday lifeline ❤️.
During Durga Puja, when the
streets are choked with traffic 🚖❌, the Metro becomes the spine of the
festival 🏮,
connecting the north’s bonedi baris with the south’s theme pandals, Central
Kolkata’s classics with Salt Lake’s modern blocks.
💳 Why the Smart Card Matters 🏆
During Pujo, Smart Cards are
lifesavers. Here’s why:
- 💳 Tap
& Go 🚶♀️➡️🚇 —
no long queues.
- ⏱️ Save
Time ⌛ —
more pandals per night.
- 🔄 Easy
Reload 🔋 —
online or station counters.
- 📉 Cheaper
💸 —
10% off vs tokens.
- 🚇 Unlimited
Hops 🏮 —
glide from Sovabazar to Kalighat in a single evening.
👉 With one swipe 💳➡️🚇, you
move from “stuck in traffic” 🚖 to
“standing in awe before a pandal” 🏮✨.
🏛️🎭 Itinerary 1 – North Kolkata Heritage Trail 🌆🌸🚇💳
If Durga Puja is the soul of
Kolkata ❤️, then
North Kolkata is its oldest heartbeat 🥁. This part of the city — with its crumbling
yet majestic mansions 🏚️✨, narrow
lanes 🛤️, and household pujas that
go back centuries ⏳ — is where the festival took shape in its
earliest forms.
Walking through North Kolkata
during Pujo is like flipping through a living history book 📖. You’re surrounded by bonedi
bari pujos (household Durga Pujas), where families have kept traditions
alive for generations, as well as community pandals 🏮 that
grew alongside the city’s evolution.
Armed with your Kolkata Metro
Smart Card 💳🚇, you can
glide in and out of this heritage zone without battling traffic jams 🚖❌. It’s the perfect trail
for those who want to experience the roots of Pujo.
🌟 Key Stops on the Heritage Trail 🏮
1. Sovabazar Rajbari 🏛️👑
- Why it matters: One
of the most famous bonedi bari pujos in Kolkata, founded by Raja
Nabakrishna Deb in the 18th century. The Rajbari pujo is not about glitz
or giant themes — it is about tradition, ritual, and quiet grandeur
🙏.
- What to look for: The
idol, always in ekchala (one frame) style, reflects continuity of
heritage. The courtyard, lit up with soft lamps, feels like stepping into
another century.
- Pro Tip 💡:
Reach early evening 🌆
before the crowd peaks.
📍 Metro Access: Sovabazar Sutanuti 🚇 (short walk 👣).
2. Kumartuli Park 🎭🪔
- Why it matters:
Kumartuli is the neighborhood of idol-makers 🪆🎨.
Every idol for every pandal in Kolkata is sculpted here by artisans.
Visiting Kumartuli Park pandal is not just about the design — it’s about
seeing how art and devotion merge.
- What to look for:
Themes often celebrate the craft itself. The lanes around Kumartuli are
lined with half-finished idols — clay figures drying, artisans painting
faces — it’s magical ✨.
- Pro Tip 💡: Go
in the evening 🌙 for
the pandal, but return in the morning 🌅 if you want to see artisans
at work.
📍 Metro Access: Shyambazar 🚇 (walk/auto).
3. Baghbazar Sarbojonin 🌊🏮
- Why it matters: One
of Kolkata’s oldest community pujas, set by the Ganga riverbank 🌊.
It’s iconic for its illumination 💡, and for the sheer sense of
scale.
- What to look for: The
pandal is often themed in traditional style, but the real joy is the river
breeze 🌊,
the lights reflecting on water 💡,
and the festive energy 🙌.
- Pro Tip 💡:
Late night (post 11 pm 🌙) is
best to avoid the crowd crush.
📍 Metro Access: Shyambazar 🚇 (rickshaw/walk).
4. Ahiritola Sarbojonin 🌸🎭
- Why it matters:
Another heritage pandal, balancing tradition with creative themes. Often
less crowded than Baghbazar, making it easier for quieter exploration.
- What to look for:
Idols that retain classical Bengal styles, with subtle experiments in
backdrop design.
- Pro Tip 💡: If
you want photos 📸
without jostling, this is your stop.
📍 Metro Access: Sovabazar/Shyambazar 🚇.
🛤️ The Smart Card Trail Flow 💳🚇
Here’s how to structure one
evening in North Kolkata 🌆🌸:
1.
Start at Sovabazar Sutanuti 🚇 with your Smart Card 💳. Visit Sovabazar
Rajbari 🏛️.
2.
Walk/auto to Kumartuli Park 🎭, explore
pandal + artisan lanes.
3.
Head towards Shyambazar 🚇, swipe
in/out 💳🚇, and
reach Baghbazar 🌊🏮.
4.
If time permits ⏳, swing by Ahiritola 🌸 before
looping back.
👉 The Smart Card saves you from standing in
long queues for tokens ⏱️ —
critical when time is short and pandal hopping hours are precious.
🍲 Food Stops Along the Way 😋
No Pujo trail is complete without
street food 🍲✨. North
Kolkata is legendary for its snacks:
- Telebhaja 🍳
(deep-fried fritters) near Sovabazar crossings.
- Ghugni 🍲
(spicy chickpeas) from Shyambazar street stalls.
- Phuchka 🥔🌶️
vendors between Kumartuli and Shyambazar.
- Rosogolla 🍬
& Sandesh 🍯
from heritage sweet shops like Chittaranjan Mistanna Bhandar.
Pro Tip 💡: Carry tissues + a bottle
of water 💧, and
avoid carrying big bags 🎒
(security checks at pandals).
🌃 Best Time to Visit ⏰
- Early Evening 🌆
(6–8 pm): Lights just coming alive 💡,
families out, manageable crowd.
- Late Night 🌙
(post 10:30 pm): Perfect for pandal lovers 📸 who
want cleaner views + less pushing.
🎭 Why This Trail Matters 🌸
North Kolkata gives you the soul
of Pujo ❤️. Here,
pandals are not just art projects — they are living traditions ⏳, some running for 200+ years.
Standing inside Sovabazar Rajbari 🏛️, or watching artisans in Kumartuli 🎨, you feel you’re touching
the origin story of Durga Puja 📖✨.
With the Metro Smart Card 💳🚇, you
stitch these stops into a seamless evening: swipe in, hop off, walk into
history, eat a phuchka, and glide on to the next. It’s not just travel
convenience — it’s the rhythm of the festival itself 🥁🌸.
🌆🎭 Itinerary 2 – Central Kolkata Classic Trail 🚇💳✨
If North Kolkata is about roots
and tradition 🏛️, then Central
Kolkata 🌆🎭 is about
scale, spectacle, and drama. This is the part of the city where pandals
are larger-than-life 🌟, where lakes
reflect shimmering lights 🌊💡, and where Pujo feels like
stepping into a carnival 🎡.
Crowds here are massive 🌊, but so is the reward: a
mix of heritage settings, iconic pandals, and food that fuels you deep into the
night. With your Metro Smart Card 💳🚇, you can dive into the chaos
without losing precious minutes in queues or traffic jams 🚖❌.
🌟 Key Stops on the Classic Trail 🏮
1. College Square Sarbojonin 🎓🌊✨
- Why it matters:
College Square is a Pujo postcard spot 📸✨.
The pandal itself is grand, but the real magic lies in its setting: the
entire pandal is built around a lake 🌊, with dazzling lights
reflecting in the water 💡.
- What to look for:
Walk around the perimeter for the best views — shimmering reflections,
glowing arches, and crowds snapping photos 📸.
It’s one of the most photographed pandals of Pujo.
- Pro Tip 💡:
Evening is best, just after 7 pm, when the lake becomes a mirror of light.
📍 Metro Access: Central 🚇 (5–10 min walk 👣).
2. Md Ali Park Sarbojonin 🕌🌸🎭
- Why it matters: A
classic of Central Kolkata Pujo, known for grand themed pandals 🎨✨.
Often, they recreate monuments or epic scenes, drawing thousands each
night.
- What to look for: Md
Ali Park is known for size + drama — towering gates, massive idols, and
architectural experiments. One year, the pandal resembled an entire
Rajasthani palace 🏰.
- Pro Tip 💡:
Expect heavy crowds 🌊. Go
later at night 🌙
(after 10:30 pm) to avoid the crush.
📍 Metro Access: Central 🚇 (walkable 👣).
3. Santosh Mitra Square (Lebutala
Park) 🌟🎭
- Why it matters: A
pandal that combines artistry with social themes 📢🕊️.
Famous for its creativity — one year, they built a giant replica of
London’s Buckingham Palace 🇬🇧, another year they
spotlighted Indian heritage.
- What to look for:
Expect surprises — the organizers always push boundaries. The idols are
equally stunning, often massive in size.
- Pro Tip 💡: If
you love pandals that tell stories, don’t skip this one.
📍 Metro Access: Central 🚇.
🛤️ The Smart Card Trail Flow 💳🚇
Here’s how to map your evening:
1.
Swipe in at Central 🚇 with your Smart Card 💳.
2.
Walk to College Square 🎓🌊, soak in
the reflections.
3.
Head to Md Ali Park 🕌🌸, only a
short stroll.
4.
Loop to Santosh Mitra Square 🌟🎭, nearby.
5.
Swipe back in at Central 🚇, and you’re on your way.
👉 Without a Smart Card, you’d spend 20–30
minutes each time queuing for tokens ⏱️. With it, you’re gliding 💨 from pandal to pandal —
saving enough time to squeeze in a food stop.
🍲 Food Stops on the Classic Trail 😋
Central Kolkata is a paradise for
foodies 🍴. Here’s what to try:
- Indian Coffee House ☕📚
(College Street): The adda capital of Kolkata. Sit beneath colonial
arches, order coffee and chicken cutlets, and soak in the vibe.
- Street Rolls 🌯🔥:
Just outside Central Metro, stalls serve iconic egg-chicken rolls, greasy,
spicy, and perfect at midnight.
- Phuchka 🥔🌶️:
Available at every corner near College Square. Crunchy, tangy, and
unforgettable.
- Mishti 🍬:
Head to K.C. Das near Esplanade — the inventor of rosogolla.
Pro Tip 💡: Eat light at each stop
so you can snack multiple times 😋.
🌃 Best Time to Visit ⏰
- Prime Time (7–9 pm) 🌆:
When the lake at College Square glows and pandals shine at full power ✨. But expect
shoulder-to-shoulder crowds.
- Late Night (10:30 pm–1 am) 🌙: A
magical window. Lights are still dazzling, but the crowd thins. Perfect
for photography 📸 and
quieter appreciation.
🎭 Why This Trail Matters 🌸
The Central Kolkata trail 🌆🎭 is Pujo
in its most theatrical form 🎭✨. It is crowded 🌊, noisy 🔊, and sometimes
overwhelming 😅 — but
that’s the point. Pujo here is not just about worship 🙏; it’s about community
celebration ❤️, where
lakhs come together under glowing lights.
Standing at College Square,
watching reflections on the lake 🌊, you feel the festival pulse in your veins.
At Md Ali Park, you marvel at sheer scale 🌟. At Santosh Mitra Square, you nod at themes
that mix art with awareness.
With your Smart Card 💳🚇, this
chaos turns into rhythm 🥁. No
waiting in queues, no bargaining with rickshaw drivers, no wasting time in
traffic. Just a swipe ➡️ a walk ➡️ and another pandal 🏮.
This is Kolkata’s Pujo at its
grandest — and your Smart Card ensures you can experience it all in one
seamless loop.
🎨🌸 Itinerary 3 – South Kolkata Theme Trail 🎭🚇💳
If North Kolkata 🏛️ is tradition and Central 🌆 is grandeur, then South
Kolkata 🎨🌸 is where
Durga Puja becomes art, imagination, and innovation.
Here, pandals aren’t just
decorative — they are giant installations 🖼️✨. Each
one tells a story: from social messages 📢 to mythological retellings 📖, from futuristic visions 🚀 to heritage recreations 🏛️. Walking through South
Kolkata during Pujo is like stepping into an open-air museum 🏮 — except the exhibits are
alive, glowing, and filled with people 🌊.
The crowds are massive ⚡, but so is the artistry. And
with your Kolkata Metro Smart Card 💳🚇, you can hop in and out at Kalighat
Station 🚇, saving
time and stamina for what matters most — soaking in the creativity 🎨🌸.
🌟 Key Stops on the Theme Trail 🏮
1. Ekdalia Evergreen 🌿✨
- Why it matters: One
of South Kolkata’s most famous pandals, dating back to 1943. Known for gigantic
traditional idols 🙏 and
bold lighting arrangements 💡.
- What to look for: The
pandal is always massive in scale 🌟,
with towering gates and dazzling lights. A true crowd magnet.
- Pro Tip 💡:
Best visited early evening 🌆 when lights are switched on
— you’ll see the pandal in full glory before crowds swell.
📍 Metro Access: Kalighat 🚇.
2. Deshapriya Park 🏟️🌸
- Why it matters:
Famous for attempting the world’s tallest Durga idol 🌟 in
2015, this pandal has since become a symbol of South Kolkata Pujo.
- What to look for: A
massive open ground 🏟️,
larger-than-life idols, and a carnival-like atmosphere 🎡.
It’s as much about people-watching as pandal-viewing.
- Pro Tip 💡:
Expect crushing crowds 🌊,
especially on weekends. Visit late night 🌙 for
easier access.
📍 Metro Access: Kalighat 🚇 (short walk).
3. Tridhara Sammilani 🎭🌈
- Why it matters:
Known for artistic innovation 🎨✨.
They often collaborate with renowned artists, creating award-winning
themes. Every year is different — sometimes mythological, sometimes
contemporary.
- What to look for: The
pandal is immersive, often making visitors feel like part of the theme.
The idol is always beautifully detailed.
- Pro Tip 💡:
Don’t rush. Spend time exploring the fine details — it’s designed like a
gallery.
📍 Metro Access: Kalighat 🚇.
4. Singhi Park 🌸🏮
- Why it matters:
Established in 1941, Singhi Park is known for blending heritage-style
idols 🙏
with themed backdrops. It balances tradition with artistry.
- What to look for:
Classical-style Durga idol, accompanied by cultural programs like music
and dance 🎶.
- Pro Tip 💡:
Visit if you want a quieter, heritage-flavored stop to contrast the
experimental pandals.
📍 Metro Access: Kalighat 🚇.
🛤️ The Smart Card Trail Flow 💳🚇
Here’s how to plan one evening:
1.
Swipe in at Kalighat Metro 🚇💳.
2.
Start at Ekdalia Evergreen 🌿✨.
3.
Walk to Deshapriya Park 🏟️🌸 (huge
open ground).
4.
Continue to Tridhara Sammilani 🎭, enjoy
its artistry.
5.
End at Singhi Park 🌸🏮 for a
heritage touch.
6.
Swipe back at Kalighat 🚇💳 when
done.
👉 Since all four are within walking distance 🚶, the Smart Card saves
energy at start + end of trail. No standing in token queues — just swipe ➡️ step out ➡️ walk into art.
🍲 Food Stops on the Theme Trail 😋
South Kolkata is as famous for
its food as its pandals:
- Phuchka 🥔🌶️ at
Rashbehari crossing. Tangy, spicy, and unbeatable.
- Kathi Rolls 🌯🔥 at
Kusum Rolls (near Park Street, one Metro ride away).
- Mishti Doi 🍯 and
Sandesh 🍬
from Balaram Mullick & Radharaman Mullick (heritage sweet shop near
Kalighat).
- Ice Cream 🍦
carts near Ekdalia Evergreen — perfect after battling crowds.
Pro Tip 💡: Alternate between fried
snacks 🌯 and sweets 🍬 to balance energy.
🌃 Best Time to Visit ⏰
- Evenings 🌆
(7–10 pm): When lights dazzle ✨, but expect big
crowds 🌊.
- Late Night 🌙
(post 11 pm): Best for pandal-hoppers who want less
jostling. Still lively, but more breathable.
🎭 Why This Trail Matters 🌸
South Kolkata is where Pujo
reinvents itself every year 🎨🌈. Here, creativity knows no
limits — idols are sculpted in glass, pandals built like temples from other
lands, and themes that spark conversation 📢.
You’ll see Pujo as a living
art form — not just devotion 🙏, but imagination ✨. From Ekdalia’s towering gates 🌿 to Tridhara’s immersive
artistry 🎭, it’s a
celebration of what the human mind can create when inspired by the divine.
With your Smart Card 💳🚇, you
slip in at Kalighat 🚇, explore
four pandals on foot 🚶, and
slip back out. No wasted minutes, no frustration. Just pure festive
immersion 🌸✨.
This trail will leave you with
aching feet 👟, a full
stomach 🍲, a camera roll bursting
with photos 📸, and a
heart full of joy ❤️.
🌆🏮 Itinerary
4 – Salt Lake & New Town Bonus Trail 🚇💳✨
Kolkata is often thought of in
two halves: North 🏛️, where
traditions run deep, and South 🎨, where creativity bursts forth. But there’s
also a third Kolkata 🌆✨ — the
newer, planned neighborhoods of Salt Lake (Bidhannagar) and New Town 🏙️.
During Durga Puja, these areas
shine in a very different way: with block-level pujas 🏢🏮, wider
streets 🛣️, community-led enthusiasm
👥, and modern themes 🚀 that
rival the city’s older quarters.
For pandal hoppers who want to go
beyond the heritage and theme circuits, this Bonus Trail offers a
refreshing taste of Pujo’s modern side 🌟. The best part? With the East–West Metro 🚇 now
operational, your Smart Card 💳 makes this trail easier than ever.
🌟 Key Stops on the Bonus Trail 🏮
1. FD Block Puja 🏢🎭
- Why it matters: One
of the earliest and most famous Salt Lake pujas. Known for its grand
community spirit 👥✨ and
themes that are both artistic and accessible.
- What to look for: A
mix of traditional idol designs 🙏 and colorful pandal
structures. The whole block turns festive, with stalls, music, and
families out late into the night.
- Pro Tip 💡:
This is the "must-see" if you’re doing just one Salt Lake
pandal.
📍 Metro Access: Sector V 🚇 (short auto ride).
2. BJ Block Puja 🏮🎨
- Why it matters: A
pandal that’s earned fame for its quirky themes 🌈 and
innovative decorations. Often smaller in size than FD, but big on
creativity.
- What to look for:
Expect experimentation — from eco-friendly setups 🌱 to
artistic light installations 💡.
- Pro Tip 💡:
Pair FD + BJ Block in one loop — they’re close enough to cover together.
📍 Metro Access: Sector V 🚇.
3. AE Block Puja 🌸🏮
- Why it matters: A
smaller but charming block puja, offering a calmer, community feel 🤝
compared to the bigger crowds at FD or BJ.
- What to look for:
Simpler idols, often more traditional, with strong local participation. A
good stop if you’re crowd-averse.
- Pro Tip 💡:
Visit AE if you want to see how local neighborhoods celebrate away from
the media spotlight.
📍 Metro Access: Sector V 🚇 (rickshaw/auto).
4. New Town Mega Pandals 🏙️✨
- Why it matters: New
Town is still developing its Pujo identity, but its pandals are
increasingly large-scale and futuristic 🚀.
Think glass structures, steel replicas, even high-tech lighting shows.
- What to look for:
Open layouts 🛣️
that make crowd flow easier, and ambitious themes. Perfect for those who
want a taste of “modern Kolkata Pujo.”
- Pro Tip 💡:
Transport here is tricky — parts of New Town aren’t yet fully
metro-connected. Use app-based rides 🚖.
📍 Metro Access: Sector V 🚇 (then cab/auto to New
Town).
🛤️ The Smart Card Trail Flow 💳🚇
1.
Swipe in at Sealdah 🚇💳 on the
East–West Metro.
2.
Ride out to Sector V 🚇 — the
hub of Salt Lake pandals.
3.
Cover FD, BJ, and AE Blocks 🏢🎭🌸 by
walking/rickshaw.
4.
If time/energy permits ⏳, extend to New Town 🏙️ by cab.
5.
Swipe back at Sector V 🚇, ride home stress-free.
👉 Without a Smart Card, hopping on/off
East–West Metro would be a pain — but with it, you sail smoothly between
Sealdah and Sector V, with zero queue delays.
🍲 Food Stops in Salt Lake &
New Town 😋
Salt Lake/New Town brings
together both street food 🍲 and mall culture 🛍️🍔:
- Cutlets 🥪
& chops 🍖 at
roadside stalls near FD Block.
- Momos 🥟 —
Salt Lake is momo central; Sector V lanes are dotted with stalls.
- Street tea 🍵
near BJ Block, perfect for adda with locals.
- Wow! Momo 🥟🔥 — a
Salt Lake-born brand that has gone national, but nothing beats trying it
at its roots.
- City Centre Mall 🍔🍟 —
modern food court options if you need a break from street snacks.
Pro Tip 💡: If you’re new to Kolkata
street food, start light — the spice levels 🌶️ here are no joke!
🌃 Best Time to Visit ⏰
- Evenings 🌆
(7–9 pm): Lively, family-friendly, with community
buzz.
- Late Night 🌙
(10:30 pm onward): Quieter, but some Salt Lake pandals
start winding down earlier than those in South/North.
🎭 Why This Trail Matters 🌸
The Salt Lake–New Town trail 🌆🏮 is the modern
counterpoint to the rest of Kolkata’s Pujo map. Here, you’ll see how the
festival evolves:
- From bonedi baris 🏛️ → to community
pandals 🌸🎭 → to block
pujas 🏢🏮 → to mega
futuristic displays 🚀.
This evolution tells the story of
Kolkata itself: a city that respects tradition but constantly reinvents itself.
With your Smart Card 💳🚇, you
stitch this into one seamless arc: heritage in North, classics in Central,
artistry in South, and modernity in the East. Few cities in the world let you
travel through centuries of culture in one festival week — and Kolkata does it
with style ✨.
By the time you leave Salt
Lake/New Town, you’ll have experienced Pujo’s full spectrum: nostalgia,
spectacle, artistry, and innovation 🌸🎭🌆.
🍲✨ Food & Festive Extras for
Pandal Hopping 🚇💳🎭
Durga Puja is as much about what
you eat 🍲✨ as what
you see 🏮✨. In fact, many say: “Pujo
mane mishti & adda” — Pujo means sweets and conversation. The city
comes alive with smells of frying chops, steaming chai, and rosogollas soaking
in syrup.
With your Smart Card 💳🚇, you can
hop between Metro stations and also hop between flavors — from Sovabazar’s
telebhaja to Kalighat’s phuchka to Salt Lake’s momos. Here’s your complete
festive food map 🍴🚇🌸.
🌟 10 Must-Try Foods During Pujo 🍲✨
1. Phuchka 🥔🌶️
- The crown jewel of Kolkata street food 👑.
Crispy semolina shells filled with spicy potato mix, dunked in tamarind
water.
- Best Spots: Rashbehari (South),
College Square (Central), Shyambazar (North).
- Pro Tip 💡:
Always say “tok-jhal-mishti” (sour-spicy-sweet) to balance flavors.
2. Kathi Rolls 🌯🔥
- Kolkata’s gift to the world 🌍.
Egg paratha stuffed with chicken, mutton, or paneer, rolled with onions
& chutney.
- Best Spots: Kusum Rolls (Park
Street), Nizam’s (Esplanade).
- Pro Tip 💡: Try
a double-egg chicken roll at midnight — it tastes better when streets are
buzzing 🌙.
3. Telebhaja 🍳🥦
- Deep-fried fritters: beguni (eggplant),
peyaji (onion), alu chop (potato), pumpkin fries 🎃.
Best enjoyed with chai ☕.
- Best Spots: Sovabazar crossings,
near College Street.
- Pro Tip 💡: Go
before pandal-hopping to line your stomach.
4. Ghugni 🍲
- Spiced yellow peas topped with chopped
onions, green chilies, coriander 🌿. Tangy, filling, and
soulful.
- Best Spots: Shyambazar,
Esplanade street corners.
5. Mishti Doi 🍯 &
Rosogolla 🍬
- Sweet yogurt and syrupy dumplings — Pujo is
incomplete without these.
- Best Shops: Balaram Mullick
& Radharaman Mullick (Kalighat), K.C. Das (Esplanade).
6. Shingara (Samosa) 🥟
- Smaller, crispier cousin of the samosa.
Stuffed with spiced potatoes, sometimes cauliflower 🥦.
- Best Spots: Every para
(neighborhood).
7. Cutlets & Chops 🥪🍖
- Legacy of the British Raj: mutton cutlets,
fish chops, chicken kabiraji. Coated, fried, and irresistible.
- Best Spots: Allen Kitchen
(Shobhabazar), Golbari (Shyambazar).
8. Biryani 🍗🥔
- Kolkata-style biryani = subtle spices,
aromatic rice, and the iconic potato 🥔.
- Best Spots: Arsalan (Park
Circus), Shiraz Golden Restaurant.
9. Momos 🥟
- A modern favorite, especially in Salt Lake
Sector V. Steamed or fried, served with spicy chutney.
- Best Spots: Sector V stalls,
Wow! Momo (born in Kolkata).
10. Chai & Adda ☕💬
- Not food, but a ritual. Tea served in earthen
cups (bhaars), paired with gossip, laughter, and dhaak beats in the
background.
- Best Spots: Everywhere,
especially outside pandals till 3 am.
🚇 Metro + Food Quick Guide 🍴
|
🚇 Metro Station |
🏮 Nearby Trail |
🍲 Food Must-Try |
|
Sovabazar 🚇 |
North 🏛️ |
Telebhaja 🍳,
Rosogolla 🍬 |
|
Shyambazar 🚇 |
North 🏮 |
Ghugni 🍲,
Phuchka 🥔 |
|
Central 🚇 |
Classics 🌊 |
Rolls 🌯,
Coffee ☕ |
|
Kalighat 🚇 |
South 🎨 |
Mishti Doi 🍯,
Phuchka 🥔 |
|
Sector V 🚇 |
Bonus 🌆 |
Momos 🥟,
Cutlets 🥪 |
👉 With your Smart Card 💳🚇, you’re
not just pandal-hopping 🏮 — you’re
food-hopping 🍲✨.
🌃 Nightlife During Pujo 🌙✨
One of Pujo’s best-kept secrets: Kolkata
doesn’t sleep during these five days 🪔🎉.
- 🌙 Midnight
Pandal Hopping: Crowds thin out after 11 pm, making it easier to
admire artistry.
- 🎶 Cultural
Programs: Many pandals host live music, dance, or theater.
- ☕ Late-Night
Adda: Tea stalls turn into community hangouts till 3 am.
- 📸 Photography
Paradise: Night is the best time to capture glowing lights without
harsh daylight.
🛡️ Safety & Survival Hacks 💳🚇
Pandal hopping can be magical ✨ — but also
exhausting 😅. Here’s
how to survive like a pro:
- 👟 Wear
Comfy Shoes: You’ll walk 10,000+ steps a night.
- 🎒 Travel
Light: Avoid big bags (slows security checks).
- 💧 Stay
Hydrated: Carry a small bottle of water.
- 🔋 Carry
a Power Bank: Phones drain fast with photos + GPS.
- 💳 Recharge
Smart Card Early: Lines at counters can get long by evening.
- 🕶️ Keep
Valuables Secure: Crowds = pickpocket risk. Use crossbody bag.
🎭 Why Food & Extras Matter 🌸
Durga Puja isn’t just about
pandals 🏮. It’s about street
corners smelling of frying chops 🍳, friends sharing phuchkas 🥔 under neon lights, sweet
shops buzzing with mishti lovers 🍬, and strangers turning into friends over
bhaar of chai ☕.
With your Smart Card 💳🚇, you
glide from pandals to food stalls, from adda to idols. You’re not just seeing
Pujo — you’re tasting it, hearing it, feeling it 🌸✨.
🌿💳🧠🌍Appeal for Safe ePay Day 🌟
## Call to Action
I urge governments, financial institutions, businesses, and
communities worldwide to join hands in declaring April 11 as **Safe ePay Day**.
Let’s celebrate UPI’s milestone by making **Safe ePay Day** a
global movement for secure, innovative fintech.
Together, we can build a future where financial access is
universal, and every e-payment is safe—starting with **Safe ePay Day** in 2026.
No Vada Pav,
not even one bite,
Till SafeePay Day takes off in flight.
Quirky vow with a Mumbai flair—
Announce the date, and I’ll be there!
📌
References
1. Nayakanti,
P. (2025, September 7). September 07 — National Buy a Book Day and April 11
— Safe ePay Day: Building Trust, One Page and One Payment at a Time.
Medium.
Retrieved from https://medium.com/@nshantin/september-07-national-buy-a-book-day-and-april-11-safe-epay-day-building-trust-one-80483f34d7e7
2. Nayakanti,
P. (2025, August 13). 218th Lalbagh Flower Show via RV Road Interchange!
Innovation in Banking.
Retrieved from https://innovationinbanking.blogspot.com/2025/08/august-13-metro-rides-blooms-218th.html
Prashant Nayakanti. (n.d.). LinkedIn profile. Retrieved
September 2025, from
https://in.linkedin.com/in/prashantnayakanti
