'Kolkata and Pujo feed our souls'

Durga Puja in Kolkata is a feast for the senses – dhaak beats, the scent of shiuli, plates of khichuri, and the laughter of loved ones. It’s no less for Satnam Singh Ahluwalia of IHA Foundation, his wife Gurbir Kaur Ahluwalia and family. CT catches up with them to know about their Pujo memories, plans this year & more.‘Bhog is at the heart of our celebrations’Satnam Singh Ahluwalia: Nothing stirs nostalgia like khichuri bhog on a shaal leaf with ghee, bhajas, and labra. Pujo brings everyone together, with khichuri, labra, bhapa chhanar torkari, payesh, and more this year.Gurbir Kaur Ahluwalia: I wait all year for khichuri bhog with ghee, chutney, and fries. It is about sharing and a city that feeds the soul.Gurchahat Kaur Ahluwalia: Maa er bhog is an emotion with a fragrance that sparks devotion. Sharing it with loved ones is central to our Pujo celebrations.Shopping & StyleSatnam: Pujo’s style is about comfort and warmth, complete with cotton kurtas, juttis, and a soft Dhakai stole.Gurbir: Pujo is about saris to me, each with its distinctive heritage and memories passed from a mother to a daughter.Gurchahat: We wear a w sari while offering Anjali on Ashtami. My mother and I try to twin that day.Prayers to DurgaSatnam: I pray so that we can embrace differences.Gurbir: My prayer is for mothers everywhere, and for homes full of loveand laughter.Gurchahat: May the goddess bless every family with safety, kindness, and light.Memories of PujoSatnam Singh Ahluwalia: Growing up in Beniapukur, I was called Bangali Sardar for my love of para-r Pujo. The alpona, dhaak, dhunuchinaach stirs my spirit.Gurbir Kaur Ahluwalia: As a young Sardarni in Kolkata, I always felt at home during Pujo. Sindoor, shiuli, and dhaak made devotion a celebration.Gurchahat Kaur Ahluwalia: Pujo is a tapestry of stories, blending my parents’ memories with my own adventures of phuchkas, pandal hopping & lights.I’ll be in Kolkata, visiting pandals, enjoying the themed pandals, sharing bhog, and savouring the city’s street food with friends– Satnam Singh AhluwaliaAfter pandal hopping this year, we plan to host friends with Satnam cooking traditional recipes. Pujo is about the joy in sharing meals and conversations – Gurbir Kaur AhluwaliaAs Maa Durga comes to her baaper bari, I will be also spending Pujo at my parents’ house this year. We love hosting people– Gurchahat Kaur AhluwaliaPix: Anindya Saha