Explore the Traditional Delicacies of Durga Puja: Your Essential Feast Guide!

Durga Puja is one of the grandest festivals in India, especially in Kolkata, where the streets are filled with colour, celebration, and more importantly—delicious food! It's not just a religious festival, it's a massive Durga Puja food festival, with stalls and homes offering some of the most mouth-watering dishes you'll ever taste.

Let's explore some of the famous Durga Puja food stalls, the best Durga Puja food items, and why this festival is incomplete without the special food that makes Durga Puja a true celebration of Bengali culture!

 1. Bhog: The Sacred Feast

Bhog is not just any ordinary food; it is offered to Goddess Durga and then distributed to devotees. The essence of Bhog is purity, and its ingredients reflect that simplicity. During Durga Puja, Bhog usually consists of khichuri, rice, and lentil porridge, that’s both nutritious and flavourful accompanied by labra, a mixed vegetable curry, payesh a type of rice pudding with milk and dry fruits, and beguni fried eggplant coated in besan. The subtle blend of spices in Bhog reflects devotion, warmth, and comfort. Each bite makes you wonder why you don’t indulge in it every day.

2. Luchi with Cholar Dal: The Classic Combo

Imagine biting into a fluffy, golden Luchi fresh from the pan, paired with Cholar Dal a mildly sweet, split lentils dish cooked with coconut, or with Aloo’r Dom, a spicy potato curry. Sounds basic? It’s a flavour explosion, trust me the first bite is enough to transport you to the heart of Bengal. Both combinations are irresistible and symbolise the true essence of Bengali Durga Puja food. It’s a go-to breakfast or lunch option during the festival and is guaranteed to leave you craving more.

3. Sukto: The Unique Starter

Sukto is a unique Bengali dish, traditionally served as a starter in Durga Puja feasts. It’s a bittersweet vegetable curry made with ingredients like bitter gourd, potatoes, raw bananas, and milk, perfectly balanced with a light touch of spices. Sukto is one of the lesser-known Durga Puja food items but is a must-try for those looking to explore authentic Bengali cuisine. This dish is all about balance and harmony—just like the festival itself.

4. Kosha Mangsho and Basanti Pulao: The Royal Treat

No Bengali feast is complete without Kosha Mangsho, a rich, spicy mutton curry slow-cooked to perfection. Pair this with Basanti Pulao, a fragrant yellow rice cooked with saffron and raisins, which is a crowd favourite during Durga Puja. The depth of flavour in Kosha Mangsho, combined with the aromatic sweetness of the pulao, makes it one of the most beloved non-vegetarian Durga Puja special food items.

5. Sorshe Ilish: The Fish Lover’s Delight

Bengalis have a deep love for fish, and Durga Puja is the perfect time to enjoy one of the most iconic Bengali dishes—Sorshe Ilish. This dish features the prized Hilsa fish, delicately cooked in a pungent mustard sauce. The strong mustard flavour, combined with the flaky, melt-in-your-mouth texture of the fish, creates a dining experience that lingers long after the last bite. For fish lovers, Sorshe Ilish is a must-try during Durga Puja,

6. Daab Chingri: Prawns in Tender Coconut

If you’re looking to elevate your Durga Puja feast, look no further than Daab Chingri—tender prawns cooked inside a green coconut with mustard and coconut milk. The result is a soft, flavourful curry that melts in your mouth, with the sweetness of the coconut perfectly balancing the richness of the prawns. This dish is as innovative as it is traditional, bringing a modern twist to the Durga Puja table.

7. Dhokar Dalna: The Veggie Star

For the vegetarian foodies, Dhokar Dalna is a must-try during Durga Puja. This dish consists of lentil cakes that are spiced and fried, then cooked in a rich tomato-based gravy. Dhokar Dalna is not just a simple curry; it’s a dish full of texture, flavour, and comfort. It’s a great example of how Bengali cuisine can make vegetarian dishes shine with bold and satisfying flavours.

8. Channar Kofta: Paneer Perfection

Another vegetarian delight, Channar Kofta consists of soft paneer Indian cottage cheese balls cooked in a creamy, tomato-based gravy. These koftas are light, tender, and bursting with flavour, making them a popular addition to any Bengali Durga Puja food spread. Served with rice or luchi, Channar Kofta is a crowd-pleaser during the festive season.

9. Sweet Treats: Rossogolla, Misti Doi, and More!

Durga Puja wouldn’t be complete without indulging in some famous Bengali sweets. And nothing tops the list like Rossogolla—soft cheese balls soaked in sugar syrup, offering a burst of sweetness with every bite. Then there’s Misti Doi, a sweetened yogurt that’s thick, creamy, and utterly satisfying. But the sweet indulgence doesn’t stop there.

Seasonal sweets like Narkel Chhapa Sandesh a type of coconut fudge, Narkel Naru is coconut laddoo, and Mihidana a fine sweet vermicelli also make their way into homes during the festive season, especially for Bijoya Dashami when loved ones exchange sweets as part of their well-wishing rituals.

10. Traditional Street Food: The Ultimate Pandal-Hopping Fuel

Durga Puja is not just about sit-down meals. The streets of Kolkata come alive with food stalls offering some of the most iconic Bengali street foods. First on the list is Phuchka Bengali pani puri, crispy puris filled with spicy, tangy tamarind water that explodes with flavour in every bite. Another popular street food during Durga Puja is the Kathi Roll, a Kolkata wrap stuffed with kebabs, eggs, or vegetables—a perfect on-the-go meal during pandal hopping. Don't forget to try Chop and Cutlets, like Vetki Macher Chop fish croquettes, Kobiraji Cutlet deep-fried chicken or fish cutlet wrapped in a net of eggs, and Dimer Devil egg cutlets. 

Pair these with spicy Jhal Muri, a puffed rice mix with spices and peanuts, and you have the ultimate street food feast. For dessert, cool down with a Kulfi, an Indian-style ice cream with rich flavours that are perfect after a long day of celebrations.

Each dish in Durga Puja has a story to tell, infused with tradition, love, and joy. The variety, flavours, and rich history behind each plate make Durga Puja an unforgettable experience for food lovers. Whether you’re indulging in a sit-down feast or grabbing a quick snack while hopping from one pandal to another, the food during Durga Puja is as much a celebration as the festival itself.