By News Karnataka Editorial Team
Copyright newskarnataka
Bengaluru: With Durga Puja just around the corner, Bengaluru is gearing up for celebrations that combine devotion, culture, and culinary delights. Across the city, pandals are preparing to offer not only prayers to Goddess Durga but also a gastronomic experience that brings communities together. From home-style cooking to gourmet spreads by five-star chefs, food during the festival nourishes both the body and the spirit.
Culinary traditions meet community spirit
At the Jayamahal Cultural Association, chefs from Kolkata travel to Bengaluru to prepare the community bhog—a vegetarian feast including khichuri, labra, chutney, and sweets—for nearly 2,000 people daily. Their authentic Bengali cooking brings the taste of home to festival-goers, preserving traditional flavours and practices.
Meanwhile, the Barsha Bengali Association has assembled professional chefs from across India, including culinary experts who cater for corporations such as IBM and Ernst & Young. They prepare Bengali classics like fish fry, biryani, and sweets, offering a diverse culinary palette while retaining the essence of home-style Bengali cuisine.
At the South East Bengaluru Bengali Association, the kitchen team, trained in festive catering, serves a rotating bhog menu daily to over 2,500 guests. The dedication of these cooks ensures the community receives fresh, flavourful meals throughout the festival.
The Bengaluru Durga Pooja Committee, celebrating its 80th year, combines traditional dishes with a modern food court featuring Indian, Chinese, Japanese, and fusion cuisine, with chefs drawn from five-star hotels and seasoned regional kitchens.
Free access and inclusive celebrations
Entry to all Durga Puja events is free and open to the public, reinforcing the festival’s spirit of inclusivity and community bonding. Visitors can enjoy a variety of cultural programmes, Dandiya nights, and food stalls alongside the religious rituals.
Pandal highlights and timings
Jayamahal Cultural Association
Where: Jayamahal Ladies Club Grounds, opposite Jayamahal Park
What’s on the Table: Home-cooked food (Ananda Mela), community bhog, 20+ food stalls
When: Ananda Mela on September 27, 6:00–10:30 PM; daily bhog in afternoons; stalls open all day
Barsha Bengali Association
Where: Opposite Cambridge International School, HSR Ext, Haralur
What’s on the Table: Bhog for 1,000–1,500; 32+ stalls with regional, Bengali, and international cuisine
When: Bhog during lunch on 3 key days; stalls open daily
Bengaluru Durga Pooja Committee
Where: Grand Castle, Gate No.6 Palace Ground
What’s on the Table: Bhog, food court with 36+ stalls, 5-star chefs, Dandiya night
When: Bhog at 2:30 PM (29th, 30th, 1st); food court active daily
South East Bengaluru Bengali Association
Where: White House, HSR Layout
What’s on the Table: Daily bhog for 2,500–3,000; 10 stalls with Bengali classics and local snacks
When: Ananda Mela on September 27 evening; bhog in afternoons; stalls open daily
Bengaluru’s Durga Puja celebrations showcase the city’s rich cultural and culinary diversity, offering devotees not just a spiritual experience but also a feast for the senses. From traditional bhogs to multi-cuisine food courts, the festival underscores how food brings communities together in celebration and devotion.
