My Navratri ‘Durga Puja Proves Shakti Lives in Every Woman’

For me, Durga Puja is pure, electrifying energy. Every day charges me, but the true magic is collective — there is nothing quite like being swept up in the high-voltage joy of a crowd.

For Bengali women, Durga is Shakti embodied. Each day unveils a new facet of her strength, reflecting how our traditions see womanhood at its core. My journey has taken me from Delhi to marriage in Kolkata, and now to Hyderabad. Every city adds its own flavor, but the heart of it remains unchanged: the Goddess is Shakti, timeless and constant.

My personal story has a playful twist. Boarding school meant growing up with vibrant Diwalis and holis, but no Puja memories. My relationship with Durga Puja started later, but it made up for lost time with absolute radiance. Today, wherever we are, we celebrate with heart: a decorated Puja room, traditional feasts, and our finest attire. Simple, complete, and joyful.

There is a delightful magic in the celebration — the vibrant clothes, the delicious spreads, and the freedom to be unapologetically dramatic. My happiest moments are standing beside family and friends, glowing in our best, wrapped in the warmth and pulse of the pandal.

Best of all, the spirit doesn’t end with the festivities. We return to our routines carrying the quiet reminder of the power women hold within themselves—and the strength we create together.

Durga Puja proves that Shakti lives in every woman, and in every crowd gathered in her name. And perhaps that is the greatest gift of Puja: the way it reminds us to celebrate our own strength while drawing courage and joy from the women around us.

Highlight: My happiest moments are standing beside family and friends, glowing in our best, wrapped in the warmth and pulse of the pandal.