Aindrita Ray, with Bengali roots, has embraced both Karnataka and its culture. She shares that the celebrations and cuisines in both places are quite similar, making it easy for her to adapt. She fondly recalls visiting puja pandals in both Bengaluru and Kolkata annually, never missing out on this tradition. A cherished memory from her childhood in Bengaluru during the puja season is helping with serving bhog, feeling important and part of a community event. Despite turning vegan, she still enjoys her mom's kheer made with coconut or almond milk and traditional jaggery from Kolkata. Aindrita also mentions her failed attempts at the Bengali dance form, Dhunuchi Naach, but admires the unity and support within the community during such performances. She emphasizes that Durga Puja isn't just for Bengalis but brings the entire community together. Although she misses her childhood friends during this puja season, she acknowledges the changes in the festivities over the years and the diverse celebrations in various pandals."She mentions that the ways of celebrating here are not as elaborate as in Kolkata, but they do come quite close," she says. — Information provided by Karthikeyan Sairam