Goa, October 08th, 2026: This Durga Puja, Vaarta, Sangolda, invites diners to experience Bengal beyond its familiar favourites, with a celebration of food, culture and the memories that make the festival so special.
Set within Vaarta’s 160-year-old Portuguese villa, the Durga Puja Thali Festival, from October 17th to 20th October, brings the warmth and nostalgia of a Bengali festive home to Goa. For Bengalis, Durga Puja is a time of coming home, dressing up, gathering with family and friends, and, of course, enjoying food deeply tied to memories of celebration and childhood. Vaarta’s festival pays homage to that tradition through thoughtfully curated vegetarian and non-vegetarian thalis inspired by dishes traditionally enjoyed during the Puja days.
The festival features three distinct thali experiences. The Ashtami Vegetarian Thali, available exclusively on 18th October, brings together festive favourites such as Bhoger Khichuri, Cholar Dal, Luchi, Labra, Begun Bhaja, Aloo Phulkopi, Tomato Khejur Chutney and Payesh.
The Saptami, Navami and Dashami Vegetarian Thali features Bengali classics including Jhuri Aloo Bhaja, Mochar Chop, Begun Bhaja, Dhakai Dal, Luchi, Aloo Dum, Jhinge Posto, Tomato Khejur Chutney and Bhapa Doi. The accompanying Non-Vegetarian Thali brings together Fish Fry with Kasundi, Kosha Mangsho, Murgi Jhol, Daaber Chingri, Dhakai Dal, Luchi and Bhapa Doi, among other accompaniments.
More than a special menu, the festival reflects Vaarta’s philosophy of celebrating India through food, memory and conversation bringing regional culinary traditions to Goa while retaining the soul of the cuisine.
Adding another layer to the celebration is The Puja Palette, inviting guests to dress in the traditional colour associated with each day of the Puja. Saptami calls for green, Ashtami for red, Navami for purple or blue, and Dashami for the quintessential Bengali combination of white and red. The villa will become a living palette of Puja, bringing a little of Kolkata’s festive spirit to Goa.
Whether it evokes memories of Puja for those familiar with the tradition or offers a first taste of Bengali festive cuisine to those discovering it, Vaarta’s Durga Puja Thali Festival is an invitation to experience a little piece of Bengal in Goa one thali at a time.
Additional information:
Dates: Saturday 17th – Tuesday 20th October 2026
Timings: 12:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Location : House – 280, Livrament Vaddo Casa Livrament, Sangolda, Goa 403511