On September 22, ‘Gateway to Kolkata – A Durga Puja Heritage Journey’ brought some of those memories together with an evening centred around the city’s Bonedi Bari traditions. What does a city remember? Sometimes, it is tucked away in an old courtyard, sometimes in a family ritual, and sometimes in a recipe that has quietly travelled across generations.
“Durga Puja is much more than a festival for Kolkata — it is an emotion, a cultural legacy and a time when the entire city comes together,” said Somrup Chanda, General Manager, Fairfield by Marriott Kolkata. The preview moved through four festive experiences — Sharodiya Mahabhoj, Bonedi Bari: Heritage & Flavours, Durgotsav and Vertex Studio — bringing together stories, food and the many moods of Puja. At the heart of the evening was Bonedi Bari: Heritage & Flavours, where the stories of old family Pujas met recipes that rarely make it beyond the family table. Participating families included Sabarna Roy Choudhury Bari, Harakutir Roy Banerjee Family, Badan Chandra Roy Bari, Thanthania Chandra Bari, Dorjipara Mitra Bari, Shuktara Sardar Family Pujo, Howrah Bose Family, Mallick Bari in Bhowanipore, Chunder Bari in Maniktala and Mitra Bari Puja in Bishnupur. It was less a look back at a sepia-tinted Kolkata and more a reminder of how the city’s Puja traditions continue to live — in family stories, heirloom recipes and rituals that return every autumn. Looking for trusted parenting advice? Follow TOI Parenting Circle on Instagram for expert guidance, relatable stories, and practical tips delivered every day. Get the latest Lifestyle News and more. Download the TOI app.
“With ‘Gateway to Kolkata’, our endeavour is to bring together the many experiences that define Bengal and create a celebration that is both rooted in heritage and relevant to today’s audience.
