Wagging tails, festive finery and pandal-hopping — pets are finding their place in Hyderabad’s Durga Pujo celebrations. Hyderabad Times speaks to pet parents and organisers about making the festivities more inclusive for their four-legged companions.
“Bingo is a little Bengali at heart! Being Bengali, Durga Pujo is the biggest festival for us, and we love including him in all our celebrations. What made the experience even better was how thoughtfully the puja associations had organised everything, with comfortable sound levels and ample space for pets to walk around,” said Gaurav Roy
‘For Bingo, Pujo means dressing up and making friends’For Gaurav Roy and his dog Bingo, Durga Pujo means dressing up and pandal-hopping at associations such as Bangiya Sanskritik Sangha (BSS), CBA and Utsab Durga Puja. “Bingo loves meeting new people, and he especially loves children. The moment they come towards him, his tail starts wagging! People kept complimenting his outfit, and he thoroughly enjoyed all the love and attention,” says Roy. He also appreciates the arrangements made by the associations to accommodate pets. “The sound levels were kept at a comfortable level, so the environment wasn’t overwhelming for our furry friends, and there was ample space for pets to walk around comfortably,” he adds.
Dipayan Banerjee with his cocker spaniels, Cairo and Coco, at Sur-o-Dhwani Foundation’s Durga Pujo
‘Cairo and Coco make Pujo a family affair’Getting cocker spaniels Cairo and Coco ready for their visit to Sur-o-Dhwani Foundation’s Pujo was an occasion in itself for Dipayan Banerjee. From picking out their outfits to introducing them to the festive crowds, every detail added to the experience. “So many people we met at the pandal were excited to see Cairo and Coco, stopping to meet them, showering them with love, and wanting pictures with them,” he says. The warmth extended beyond the family’s own celebration, with the dogs becoming a source of delight for fellow visitors, too. “As a pet parent, moments like these make you realise how much happiness our furry babies bring to the people around them, too. They weren’t just accompanying me to Pujo; they were a part of my celebration,” Banerjee adds.
Rubal Bhowmick celebrated her golden retriever Rhum’s first Durga Pujo by taking him pandal hopping
‘Love doesn’t need the same language to belong’A festive outfit, a welcoming pandal and plenty of affection made golden retriever Rhum’s first Durga Pujo a memorable one. His pet parent, Rubal Bhowmick, took him pandal hopping in Gachibowli as they saw the experience as an opportunity to share a piece of their Bengali heritage with him. “Rhum may never understand the meaning of Durga Pujo, the rituals, or why Ma Durga is so special to us. But someday, when we look back at these pictures, we’ll remember how he was part of it all,” says Bhowmick. “Our little boy’s first Pujo, and hopefully, the first of many,” she adds.
Baishali Gupta celebrated Durga Pujo with her four dogs — Lucy, Coco, Whisky and Ruby at Hyderabad’s pet-friendly pandals.
‘Hyderabad’s pandals make the city feel a little like home’Pandal-hopping with her dogs has become a cherished Pujo tradition for Baishali Gupta. Her 16-year-old Lucy has experienced the festival year after year, while Coco is celebrating her ninth Pujo, Whisky his sixth and one-year-old Ruby her first. “Getting them dressed up and taking them pandal-hopping is a tradition close to my heart,” she says, adding “The way Hyderabad’s pandals welcome our furry babies makes the city feel a little like home. For those precious moments, surrounded by the joy of Pujo and the love of my babies, I almost forget that I’m miles away from Kolkata.”
Debarati brought her toy poodle Mocha to her first Durga Pujo in Hyderabad, complete with a festive wardrobe and a few essentials to help her navigate the crowds
‘Mocha and I had the time of our lives’Earmuffs, water, treats, shoes and a carrier were all part of Debarati Kundu’s preparation for her toy poodle Mocha’s first Durga Pujo. “Initially, she was scared of the crowd, but after a few pets from strangers, making a lot of furry friends and munching on a few treats, she became comfortable,” she says. Debarati credits Hyderabad’s welcoming puja associations, including CBA, Utsab, Sur-o-Dhwani, Uttarayan, BSS Club and Hyderabad Bangalee Samity, for making the experience possible. “As they say, every dog has a purpose, and Mocha’s purpose is to spread happiness and joy,” she adds.We want pets to celebrate with their families: OrganisersAcross Hyderabad, several puja associations are making room for pets as part of their celebrations. At Oikotan in Manikonda, pets are even allowed in front of Maa Durga’s idol, allowing families to include their companions in the festivities. “We wanted pet parents to be able to enjoy Pujo with their furry companions rather than leave them behind,” says organiser Doyel Bhattacharya, adding that around 10–15 pets had visited the pandal at the time of when we spoke to them.Attapur Bengali Association (ABA) has been welcoming pets for around five years, with more than 20 pet parents visiting its Pujo each year, according to Cultural Secretary Palash Chakraborty. “Our aim is to create an inclusive and joyful environment where pets are treated as part of the family,” he says.
“Our aim is to create an inclusive and joyful environment where pets are treated as part of the family. We believe that the joy of Maa Durga’s celebrations is even more special when our four-legged family members are part of it,” said Palash Chakraborty, Cultural Secretary, Attapur Bengali Association
Meanwhile, according to one of the organisers of Utsab Cultural Association, Indranil Aditya, the idea came from within the committee. “Most members and executive committee members are pet parents and animal lovers who see their pets as part of the family. The spacious NITHM cricket ground also makes it easier to accommodate pets amid the crowds. While there is no certain count, we ensure that whoever brings their pet can stay in a safe setting,” he says.
