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Showing posts from October, 2021

A welcome weekend break @ Hotel Sonar Bangla, Taki

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A short break away from the humdrum routine and the stress of daily living is always a welcome change. Frankly, I had got quite sick of cooking, cleaning, keeping house, doing my content writing work on loop. In short, I was thristing for a peaceful holiday.  We didn't want to risk taking flights or trains in this Covid situation, so any beach or mountain vacation was out of question.  Finally, after searching on the net for weekend destinations near Kolkata, and on the recommendation of friends, zeroed in on Taki , a small hamlet near the river Ichhamati .  Taki is a weekend getaway situated about 60 km near Kolkata (about three hours on road).  And it was a well-deserved and long-delayed (due to the pandemic) break at Hotel Sonar Bangla, Taki  .  First things first, we really liked  Hotel Sonar Bangla, Taki , a three-star hotel that offers great food and courteous service. Best of all, is the layout of the hotel.  Fresh Air, Green Lawns, Quietly Flowing River = Great Relaxation

Prepping for Durga Pujo (the Biggest Festival in Eastern India)

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My city, #Kolkata , is gearing up for its biggest festival of the year - the grand #DurgaPuja or the earthly visit of the Mother Goddess aqlong with her children . For the uninitiated, Hinduism deifies #Shakti or Power in the form of the #MotherGoddess Durga. It is believed that She embodies all that is good and pure in the universe, having been created with the combined energies of the Triumvurate of Hindu Gods - Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva.   As soon as the monsson recedes and autumn peeps in, #Kolkata starts sprucing up for the much-awaited annual carnival. #Kolkata metamorphosizes from a homely woman into a newly wedded bride during the festival days (a sight that needs to be seen to be believed). Lights twinkling everywhere, people decked up in their best dresses, the hum of music and the beats of the dhaak (a traditional percussion instrument)! And the smiling, eager faces of people. #DurgaPuja or rather #Pujo , as we call the festival, in the cultural capital of India - #Kolka