Pandal hopping in October

Photos: Mumit M

Text: Amiya Halder

Celebrating the victory of the warrior goddess Durga over the shape-shifting demon Ashur, Durga Puja symbolises the triumph of goodness over evil.

And come October, from the uthan to the neighbourhood park, Dhaka, like other parts of Bengal, is transformed into a city of love, light and song.

Amongst the frenzy of sindurkhela and dhooparati, the mouth-watering prasad-phuchka-luchi, and the maddening beat of drums, pandal hopping is perhaps the most beloved activity of the Dhaka dwellers during puja season.

Sunny garlands of marigold, strings of lights like rainbows, the city is awoken in October, with pandals at the very heart of every neighbourhood celebration.

Light triumphs over darkness as tapering thoroughfares down Old Dhaka come alive once again with the vitality of the Bengali soul and even the most of indifferent of passers-by is beguiled, beckoned to the goddess by the call of the dhol.