From shukto and bhetki paturi to kosha mangsho and mishti doi sandesh, Kolkata Connection returns to Panjim with a five-day celebration of Bengal’s most cherished festive flavours.

There are few celebrations as deeply rooted in food, memory and emotion as Durga Puja. Beyond the artistry of the pandals and the rhythmic call of the dhak, it is the Bengali festive table that brings the season to life — generous, nostalgic and rich with culinary traditions passed down through generations.

This October, a little piece of that tradition travels west. At Novotel Goa Panjim, Kolkata Connection returns to bring the flavours of Bengal’s Durgotsav to Goa, inviting diners to experience the spirit of Sharodiya through an indulgent culinary celebration.

Following the response to last year’s edition, the experience returns to Food Exchange from October 16 to 20, 2026, bringing together the comforting familiarity of Bengali classics and the abundance of a traditional festive feast.

A Festive Table Rooted in Tradition

Bengali cuisine has a distinctive way of balancing complexity with comfort. Mustard, spices, coconut, subtle sweetness and slow-cooked gravies come together to create a culinary identity that is as evocative as the festival itself.

At Kolkata Connection, the menu draws inspiration from the traditions of Sarbojanin Puja, moving from soulful bhog-inspired preparations to the more indulgent favourites associated with a Bengali bhuribhoj — a celebratory feast where the pleasure lies as much in the abundance as in the food itself.

The experience begins with shukto, the delicately bitter vegetable preparation that holds a special place in Bengali meals. Bhetki paturi follows, bringing together fish and mustard-based flavours in a preparation wrapped and cooked to retain its distinctive aroma. Chanar kaliya adds another layer to the opening selection, celebrating the versatility of fresh cottage cheese in Bengali cuisine.

The Main Course, the Bengali Way

The heart of any Bengali feast lies in its main course, where robust flavours and familiar recipes take centre stage.

Kosha mangsho brings the richness of slow-cooked mutton, prepared in a deeply flavoured gravy that makes it a perennial favourite at festive gatherings. Chingri malai curry offers a contrasting expression of Bengali cooking, pairing prawns with the gentle richness of coconut. Basanti pulao adds its characteristic fragrance and golden hue to the spread.

No Kolkata-inspired menu would feel complete without biryani. The Kolkata chicken biryani rounds out the selection, drawing on the city’s distinctive culinary tradition and its fondness for aromatic rice, layered spices and indulgent accompaniments.

Together, these dishes capture the spirit of a festive Bengali table — generous, layered and designed to be savoured slowly.

Because No Puja Feast Ends Without Mishti

In Bengal, the final course is more than a sweet ending; it is an essential part of the celebration. The tradition of mishti mukh brings the meal to a close on a note of sweetness, marking the pleasure of sharing food and festivities with loved ones.

At Food Exchange, mishti doi sandesh completes the menu, bringing together two beloved expressions of Bengali confectionery in a fitting finale to the feast.

A Little Bengal, in the Heart of Goa

With Kolkata Connection, Novotel Goa Panjim offers a culinary invitation to celebrate Durga Puja away from Bengal, whether for those seeking the flavours of home or diners curious to explore one of India’s most distinctive regional cuisines.

It is an experience shaped by the idea that food can carry a festival across geographies. A familiar preparation can evoke a memory, a traditional recipe can introduce a new culture, and a shared meal can create its own sense of belonging.

This Sharodiya, Food Exchange invites guests to gather around the table and discover the flavours, rituals and indulgences that make Bengali festive dining so memorable.