The time of the year is finally here when Bengalis around the world get together to celebrate their biggest ‘festival’- Durga Puja. The exciting fervor hits the entire population and with family and friends coming together, it’s a one gala affair. Not just the revelry but one also keeps feasting on the long list of yummy menu of Bengali food. And not to forget the peace and tranquility that one gets as they stand taking the blessings of Maa Durga. Tellychakkar.com spoke to a few Bengali actors about their experience of Durga Puja and how they enjoy the festivities. Shares Tina Dutta, “Being a Bengali, Durga Puja is most definitely my favourite festival. The whole year I wait for the time when Maa Durga will come and bless us. This festival means a time when I can spend some wonderful time with my family, extended family and close friends. I make it a point to get my leaves beforehand so that I can enjoy the day back home in Kolkata. The city definitely celebrates the festival like nowhere else. Also I am getting to eat mom made special food which I am relishing.” Indraneil Sengupta who never really stayed in Kolkata does misses the festivities. “As a child, Durga Puja meant a time when we would get long holidays and new clothes. The excitement would come much before the festival and the memories do remain really special. I also remember going to the pandals and playing with toy guns with friends.” Even though she is away from home Mouli Ganguly makes it a point to celebrate the festival with much fanfare. “The time is of course very special for us. I feel that when we are worshiping a female, people should also understand that they should respect woman in real life too. If Durga was to come alive, I feel she would change the mind set of people and teach them the real meaning of the festival and woman power.” Debina Bonnerjee is also an active member of the Bengali community and feels that this is the time to bond with fellow Bongs. “Although I was unwell, I made it a point to attend the Juhu (Rani Mukerji’s) and Lokhandwala (Singer Abhijeet’s) pandals. This is the only time when we get an opportunity to deck up traditionally and meet everyone in the community and indulge in some adda sessions. Also I get to eat all the yummy food and it is the time when you don’t even think about diet (laughs). Also I feel we should all pledge to kill the evil within us and start in a positive note.” Talking about the favourite puja memory, Pratyusha Banerjee shared, “I have many memories of the pujas, and it’s difficult to choose one. It’s the festival where the entire family comes together and has the best of the time. However the time when we celebrated Durga Puja in the Bigg Boss house is memorable because I got every nostalgic and was missing home terribly. But yes, performing the dhunuchi dance with the housemates was surely fun.” And finally the salivating delicacy of the traditional Bengali food that makes people go weak on their knees gave reasons to Reshmi Ghosh to be happy. “I met my school friends one day and relished some really yummy food. When it comes to Durga Puja, you can just think about puchkas, chicken chaap and biryani which might make you ill, but only after you’ve had a scrumptious time (winks). Also the bhog food- khichdi, shukto, gopi alu is a finger licking treat for me. As I was shooting I couldn’t go back home but the food and a great time with friends gives me no reason to complain.” Well, with the puja ending today all we can say is asche bochor abar hobe (the festivities will return next year). Tellychakkar.com wishes everyone a very happy Durga Puja!!!