Durga Puja- the most important festivals of Bengalis is finally bidding goodbye for this year today. It’s a known fact that the fervor factor heightens when shared with family members and loved ones. Durga Puja is one occasion where you just want to step out and have a gala time with your family and friends and engross in all the yummy delicacies. Well, with Durga all set to leave for Kailash once again, it indeed is a sad moment, but the memories of the four days will always cherish in our minds. But staying in Mumbai our Bengali stars do crave for the typical para puja in Kolkata and the smell of the freshly made bhog at the pandals. But having used to celebrating the festival away in aamchi Mumbai, our celebs revel during Durga Puja. As Debina Bonnerjee, who is all set to burn the dance floor in Nach Baliye 6 states, “Don’t even ask how much I am missing the fun of my city’s puja. The pandals, street food, going out with friends and enjoying day and night is so dearly missed. The aroma of the dhunuchi added with the smell of the yummy food is delectable.” Hmm… definitely it gets the taste buds salivating, but how can we forget the good old days of adda sessions, where friends and relatives spend hours chatting about varied topics over chai and jhaal muri. Says Rohit Roy, “It is the biggest festival of Bengalis and most definitely we look forward to it so that we all fellow Bengalis can meet and indulge in some adda sessions. I remember the times when we would spend hours at the pandals doing nothing. Thankfully I get to enjoy all the mithais and specialized Bengali food here in Mumbai too, but definitely the Kolkata charm is missed.” Puja time also means decking up and especially for the fairer sex. As the very pretty Sumona Chakravarti says, “I make it a point not to work in those four days and have a great time at the Mukherjee Puja (Tulip Star) at Juhu. I love wearing traditional on all days and am so looking forward for the sindoor khela tonight. These four days are really special to me.” Echoing her thoughts, Mouli Ganguly adds, “We hardly get a chance to wear traditional Bengali sarees in our daily lives, so I make it a point to wear them during the Pujas. The purity of the festival just lightens up the mood and you tend to look better in those dresses.” Reminiscing about his childhood days, Rohit quips, “I remember we used to run back from school and dress up to visit the pujo bari. All cousins would sit together and have a great time chatting and enjoying the food. With no pressures backing us, the feeling was just beautiful and enjoyable. Pujas in Kolkata is almost like Sachin Tendulkar coming to Wankhade, so you can imagine how big it must be (laughs).” And what about the pet pujo (stomach filling) sessions. Debina says, “Puchkas, alu kabli, and the omelettes on road all this really remind me of the pandals. Also bursting balloons with guns was so much fun with friends.” Sumona adds, “I keep on hogging throughout the festivals. And I know most Hindus avoid non-veg during Pujas, but we Bengalis are complete foodies and we get to indulge more in so many dishes of mutton, chicken and fish during Durga Puja.” All said and done, there definitely is no better place than home in Pujas and that pain could be felt when we spoke to Ishita Dutta who sighs, “I am almost half in depression of not being able to celebrate Puja in Kolkata for the first time. I just got a half-day off from shoots so could hardly visit many places. I am missing the pandal hopping with friends so much.” And away from all of these the sexy Sayantani Ghosh is relishing her time in her hometown surrounded by her family in her hometown. “I so wanted to be here for all the four days but since I had to shoot I just landed last night. I had to come even it was for a single day. I’ll make sure I have a great time with my family and friends.” Well, with the puja ending today all we can say is asche bochor abar hobe (the festivities will return next year). Happy Durga Puja to everyone!!!