Laxmi Puja
Time: October (5 days after Mahadashami)
Dedicated to: Laxmi, the Goddess of wealth, peace & prosperity Calcutta

Lakshmi puja festival falls in the month of October, about 5 days after Mahadashami. Laxmi Puja of Kolkata India is an important occasion, in which prayers are offered to Lakshmi, the Goddess of wealth, peace and prosperity. The puja of Ma Laxmi gives an opportunity to people to invite the Goddess of luck and prosperity to their homes. One or two days before the celebration of the festivity of Laxmi puja, the local markets of Kolkata are beautifully decorated. The shops get flooded with the idols of Laxmi seated on a lotus.

Saraswati Puja
Time: between late January and early February
Dedicated to: Saraswati, the Goddess of learning

Saraswati puja is one big occasion in Kolkata that takes place during the period between late January and early February. In fact, the day when puja of Ma Saraswati is done is declared as a state holiday. Calcutta Saraswati puja festival is celebrated with great pomp and show. It is on this day that the youngest female of the family is asked to dress up in yellow clothing. Sarswati puja of Kolkata India is dedicated to the goddess of learning.

Saraswati puja is conducted in almost every locality of Calcutta. People of the locality get together and assemble at the pandal to celebrate the festivity. Kids are really enthusiastic about the puja. It is during this puja that children pray to the goddess for their academic success. It is usually the pundit who performs the puja. After the puja is over, prasad is distributed to all.

Kali Puja
Time: October-November (2 weeks after Laxmi Puja)
Dedicated to: Kali, the Goddess of destruction who protects from evils

Calcutta Kali Puja festival is another important occasion that takes place two weeks after the celebration of Laxmi puja. Kali puja is performed in the honor of Kali, the Goddess of destruction. People worship Goddess Kali with the belief that she will protect them from evils. Also, she symbolizes strength. Puja of Ma Kali is conducted at midnight on the day of the new moon in the month of Kartik. Kali Puja of Kolkata India usually coincides with Diwali. It is celebrated with splendid grandeur. People light candles, burst crackers, dress up in good clothes and offer prayers to mother Goddess Kali.

Durga Puja
Time: September-October
Dedicated to: mother Durga, the goddess of power (Shakti)

Puja of Ma Durga is a major festival of Bengalis, for which they keep waiting the whole year. Calcutta Durga Puja festival is celebrated on a large scale with great pomp and gaiety. It is celebrated to worship mother Durga, the Goddess of power (Shakti). It celebrates the victory of ma Durga over the demon Mahishasura. Durga Puja of Kolkata, India usually takes place during the autumn period from September-October. The weather is pleasant, giving air a festivity touch. Though the festival of Durga puja is celebrated throughout Bengal, but it is special in Kolkata. Durga puja involves the performance of a long series of rituals. Every day starting from the day of the Mahalaya, the days of Sashthi, Saptami, Ashtami, Navami and Dashami or Bijoya Dashami has its own set of rituals. Durga puja is a time for socializing with friends, family and relatives. People dressed in their new clothing, visit pandals, eat mouthwatering food and enjoy the drumbeats. It is truly the best time to catch up with your old friends.

Dol Purnima
Time: March
Significance: to celebrate the arrival of spring season
Highlights: people smear colors, spray colored water, and drink bhang

Calcutta Dol Purnima festival is celebrated to give a warm welcome to the spring season. Basically, Dol Purnima is like Holi festival, in which people smear each other with different colors and also spray colored water on the people passing by. It is on this festivity that people get together and share joyous moments. They drink bhang, i.e., a mild milk beverage laced with marijuana. The best part about Dol Purnima festival of Kolkata India is that, on this day, people break all social barriers of caste, creed and religion. Poor touch rich and lower caste meets and greets upper caste.