Bengal celebrates its mishti legacy at this Durga Puja pandal

The history of Bengali mishti has inspired Ahiritola Sarbojanin's Durga Puja pandal in Kolkata this year.

Durga Puja and food are practically inseparable. From plates of bhog and endless mishti to those post-pandal-hopping food stops, the festival is as much a treat for the taste buds as it is for the eyes. And this year, one Kolkata pandal is taking that love for food a step further, celebrating Bengal's rich sweet-making heritage.

In Kolkata, it is all about the sweetness of Bengal

What better way to celebrate Bengal than through its love for mishti? Stepping into its 87th year, Ahiritola Sarbojanin Durgotsab Samity is exploring the state's rich confectionery heritage with its theme, Madhuri Maitrir Anneshane, which translates to In Search of Sweetness and Harmony.

And no, this is not just about paying tribute to your favourite sandesh or rasgulla. The theme traces the evolution of Bengali sweets, from traditional ingredients such as jaggery, rice and coconut to the rise of chhana-based delicacies that gave Bengal some of its most iconic creations, including sandesh, rasgulla and pantua.

Behind these much-loved sweets are generations of artisans whose craftsmanship helped shape Bengal's culinary identity. Yet, many of their stories and traditional recipes have faded with time. The pandal seeks to bring them back into focus, celebrating the people who turned simple ingredients into cultural treasures.

There is also a larger story at play here. In Bengal, the neighbourhood sweet shop has long been more than just a place to pick up a box of mishti. It is where people meet, chat and catch up over a plate of sweets. From festive offerings during Durga Puja to tokens of affection in everyday life, sweets have a way of bringing people together.

Drawing inspiration from Rabindranath Tagore's philosophy of unity in diversity, the theme explores how food can transcend social and cultural boundaries. Through evocative visuals, ambient soundscapes and intricate decor, artist Manas Das and the team aim to turn the familiar sweet shop into a living museum of memory, craftsmanship and harmony.

After all, the sweetness of a sandesh may last only a few bites, but the memories made over it can stay for years.

Meanwhile, Ranchi is serving up golgappas and jhalmuri

From Bengal's beloved mishti to street-food favourites, food-themed pandals are finding their way into Durga Puja celebrations elsewhere, too. In Ranchi, one pandal is giving golgappas and jhalmuri their moment in the spotlight.

Located in the city's Hindpiri area, the pandal features golgappa-inspired decorations, with the organisers hoping the quirky concept will draw visitors of all ages to seek Maa Durga's blessings.

But there is a little more to this theme than just street-food nostalgia. According to the organisers, golgappas and jhalmuri also reflect the many flavours of life. Just as a golgappa can offer a mix of sweet, tangy and spicy notes, life comes with its own share of bitter and sweet experiences. Jhalmuri, with its signature spicy and tangy kick, adds another flavour to the metaphor.

What makes these themes interesting is how they take something familiar and give it a whole new context. A sandesh becomes a symbol of Bengal's cultural memory, while a golgappa becomes a playful reminder that life, much like food, is best experienced in all its flavours.

So, as you plan your pandal-hopping route this year, keep an eye out for these food-inspired creations. Just don't be surprised if all that golgappa and mishti talk leaves you craving a plate of your own.

(With inputs from Satyajeet Kumar)

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