Durga Puja is around the corner and the holiday season is about to begin. From school students to office-goers to homemakers, Durga Puja means a lot to everyone. From sporting colourful dresses to pandal hopping to eating out to taking a break from studies and work, Durga Puja promises unlimited fun over a period of five days.
With pandals and roads remaining chock-a-block, moving around in cities like Cuttack and Bhubaneswar becomes difficult. There are many who want to avoid the crowds during the Puja days. For them, vacation means spending quiet time in the company of family or friends. There are many who plan their family vacation around Durga Puja.
Since schools remain closed for a period of approximately 10 days and the monsoon is gone, many plan a trip with family far away from the overcrowded cities. Naturally, every year witnesses a surge in tourists during this time, with new destinations gaining popularity. This is a busy time for travel agencies, as they plan travel and accommodation and arrange conducted tours. Sunday POST spoke to a few travel agencies and travellers who are busy making travel plans for Durga Puja.
Debabrata Tripathy, who runs a travel agency in Rourkela, says, “This is the most important time of the year for travelling. People want to spend quality time with their families. I have observed that most of the tourists from our state want to go on vacation to avoid the noise and the crowded streets during Durga Puja. It’s not that they don’t like Durga Puja but there are many who prefer to enjoy the holidays with family in a quiet destination.”
Like every year, Debabrata is now busy booking trains, flights and hotels for his clients, as Durga Puja is just a couple of weeks away. “There are people who go out during this time every year. Schools and colleges remain closed for almost 10 days and the weather too is good at this time of the year for vacationing,” he says.
Given the surge in demand for both tickets and accommodation, prices too shoot during this time. However, travel agents say that most travellers know this and don’t mind shelling out a few extra bucks. “There is always a mad rush during the festive season, and it peaks during the five days of Durga Puja. It’s because many people want to return a day after Dusshera to join office,” adds Debabrata.
Bhubaneswar-based Pravabati Devi, a retired government servant, goes on a holiday during Durga Puja every year. “I am not an atheist and really enjoy Durga Puja but over the last few days, the city becomes so congested. You can’t move on the roads. So, we try to spend these few days somewhere far away from the city. Moreover, the pollution level too goes up, which is understandable. So, it’s better to plan a trip instead.” Last year, her family went on an extended trip to Tamil Nadu and this year they will be heading to Singapore.
Travel agents say that, besides popular Indian vacation spots, international destinations too have gained popularity in the last few years. Many people book trips to Thailand, Malaysia, Dubai and Nepal. “Most travellers opt for five-day-four-night packages, which is ideal during the Durga Puja holidays. People also ask for new and less-explored destinations. We assist them in choosing destinations according to their budget and duration of stay,” says Debabrata.
Another travel agency owner Somiya Priyadarshini says that the surge in demand for air and railway tickets and hotel bookings is a relatively new phenomenon. “I have been in this profession for 12 years now but travelling during Durga Puja has witnessed a rise in the last few years. Earlier, people were not too inclined towards holidaying during Durga Puja because pandal hopping and eating out with family and friends was the biggest entertainment. But now we start getting queries from travellers at least a couple of months before Durga Puja.”
Most of those who go on vacations during Durga Puja plan well in advance to avoid paying more for tickets and accommodation at the last minute. Ruchismita Panda flies out of the state every year with her husband during Durga Puja. The Bhubaneswar-based homemaker says, “I love Durga Puja, but in the last few years, there has been a considerable rise in the number of pujas. Naturally, this increase means more crowds and noise. So, I prefer to spend these five days in a serene place. Moreover, my husband is a marketing executive, and this is the only time he gets a break, so we try to spend some time together far away from the city.”
“We stay near Nayapalli and there is a big Durga Puja held nearby. The place becomes so crowded for five days that it becomes difficult to even step out of our house. Moreover, there is also a lot of noise pollution. This is one of the major reasons for us leaving the city on these days. This year, we will be going to Sikkim on a five-day trip,” she adds.
Geeta Moharana, a homemaker from Bhubaneswar, plans to visit Singapore and Malaysia during the upcoming festive season. “Durga Puja gives us the perfect opportunity to plan a trip because everything from office to schools remain closed. Moreover, the weather too is perfect for holidaying across India during the October-November period. I do miss celebrating Durga Puja in the city but the moment I think of the crowded streets and pandals, I feel it’s better to go on a vacation. During Durga Puja, a 15-minute journey at times takes me almost an hour,” she says.
“Children love pandal hopping but they are equally happy to go on a holiday. So, they generally don’t complain. Moreover, when it comes to being part of Durga Puja, you will always find a Durga Puja pandal even when you are holidaying. So, we drop in at a Durga Puja pandal if we see one,” adds Geeta.
At the same time, the season also fetches good business for travel agents and hotels. Travel agents say that a lot of tourists have started preferring international destinations because airlines offer low airfares during this time of the year. “This year, a lot of people are heading to Nepal, Thailand and Dubai. They are also going to Sikkim, Goa and Mysore. These destinations are not too far, and airfares too don’t pinch your pocket. Also, these places can be covered in three to four days,” says Somiya, adding, “This year we are struggling to provide bookings. But people are ready to pay more.”
Omm Bikash Das, fitness trainer from Cuttack, says, “Cuttack sports a completely different look during Durga Puja. The city really looks nice, but the celebrations are also accompanied by chaos. It becomes almost impossible to walk on the roads in the old part of the city. While many like being part of a crowd and don’t mind the congestion in the evenings, I prefer to go somewhere else with my family and spend a few days in tranquillity. We went to Sikkim last year, and this time we will be going to Manali.”
Cuttack-based Prabhudatt has planned a Goa trip this year with friends. “A lot of my relatives come to Cuttack to enjoy the Durga Puja. But I prefer holidaying during this time. I feel rejuvenated after this break. I feel I can concentrate better on my work after I get back from the trip,” he says.
BRATATI BARAL, OP