The word ‘bonedi’ literally translates to ‘affluent’. The bonedi families of Kolkata have had a rich legacy of holding Durga Pujo in their mansions. Most have faded away, but a few remain, and still organise pujos in all its intimate splendour. If you want a taste of centuries-old rituals at a traditional zamindari family pujo, pick one of these tours.
Gather Your Squad And Check Out These 5 Pujo Tours In Kolkata's Grand Old Mansions
The information in this post might be outdated
Ten-Second Takeaway
Bonedibari Durga Pujo Tour
More than 20 traditional pujos take place across Kolkata {and they are each at least over 150 years old if not more}. The most famous pujos are the Sabarna Roy Chowdhury family {they are considered the original landlords of the city}, the Sovabazar Rajbari {which was graced by Lord Clive} and Rani Rashmoni {founder of Dakshineshwar temple}.
This tour entails a visit to the most well-known bonedi pujos. You will get to visit the Sovabazar Raja Radha Kanta Dev Estate, Maharaja Naba Krishna Dev Pujo, Chatu Babu Latu Babu Pujo, Nilmani Mitra Puja Bari, Rani Roshmoni Barir Pujo, Thantania Dutta Bari and the Bowbazar P.C Chandra Bari.
The tour also includes a sumptuous buffet lunch at The Lalit Great Eastern Hotel. You can book your tickets here.
When: September 27 – 29. Timings: 7:30 am to 4:30 pm {pickup from 7:30am, the tour starts at 9am}.
Where: The meeting point is The Lalit Great Eastern: Kolkata, Dalhousie Square, Old Court House Street, near Raj Bhavan.
Price: INR 2,499 per person.
Contact:Indu Elahi 9051201717 or Mark 9831012421.
Bonedi Bari'r Durga Darshan
Their packages include a visit to the households to witness traditional rituals, and sometimes there are guides to brief visitors about the family history or in many cases the same is done by a family senior. You will get to see the famous vintage Durga Pujos across the city like Shaborno Roy Barir Pujo, Bhawanipur Mullick Barir Pujo, Rani Rashmoni Bari’r Pujo, Dorji Para Mitra Pujo, Sovabazar Rajbari {Raja Radhakanta Dev’s Palace} and Maharaja Nabakrishna Dev’s Palace.
This tour will also cover the Behala Jagatram Mukherjee Bari where the Durga idol is made of gold!
You can book your tickets here.
When: September 27 – 29. Timings: Morning tours are 8am onwards, and the evening tours are 2pm onwards.
Where: Meeting point is at Esplanade, Metro Gate No. 5, Jawaharlal Nehru Road, New Market Area, Dharmatala, Taltala.
Price: INR 2,499 for the morning tours and INR 2,199 for the evening tours.
Bonediyana
This is a highly recommended tour where get to visit {in an air-conditioned bus} twelve pujos in old mansions who have preserved the culture and tradition of their pujos and allow tourists to take part in the celebrations and see the thakur dalan {ceremonial platform} of these palaces. You will taste some vintage, traditional Bengali dishes for lunch. Try to book the Saptami special – you will get to see the anjali at Rani Rashmoni’s place. Book your tickets here.
When: September 25, 27. Timings: 9am to 6pm
Where: Meeting point is Sealdah Jagat Cinema, Acharya Prafulla Chandra Road, Sealdah, Baithakkhana.
Price: INR 2,500 {single pass}, INR 4,800 {dual pass}, INR 9,500 {family pass, admit four}.
Contact: After purchasing the ticket, please call 9674054776 for booking confirmation and selection of pick-up point.
Banglar Bonedi Bari-r Puja Parikrama
A guided tour of puja celebrations of traditional houses of around eight destinations, this tour begins early at 7am in an air-conditioned bus. You will get breakfast, lunch and snacks. Book your tickets here. The Jorasonko Dawn House’s thakur dalan and the courtyard is huge and has been shooting venue of many films.
When: September 27, 29. Timings: 7 am to 8 pm.
Where: They have two meet-up locations. One at Barasat Champadali More, Apsara 66d, Swami Vivekananda Road. And the second at Tollygunge Tram Depot, and Jubilee Park, Deshapran Sasmal Road.
Price: INR 2,700 per head.
Contact: 9883377177 / 8017046333.
Bonedi Bari Durga Puja Parikrama
This bus tour includes a visit to all the bonedi pujos in town and includes breakfast, lunch and snacks. Book your tickets here.
When: September 27. Timings: 8 am to 3:30 pm.
Where: 185/5, Santoshpur Avenue, Lake East 7th Road.
Price: INR 1,499 per person.
Contact: 9830584134 / 9088655140.
#LBBTip
Check which pujos each tour will cover and choose one accordingly. You can read up about each bonedi bari pujos here and then decide which ones you want to visit. You will come across some really interesting stuff – like the pujo at Akrur Dutta’s mansion where you can head stories about a hideout tunnel under the thakur dalan.