hyderabad as the city gears up to celebrate diwali with passion and grandeur the many communities who have made this cosmopolitan space their home are getting ready to celebrate their distinct cultures and in such a pursuit the bengali diaspora of hyderabad is getting ready to celebrate kali puja worshipping goddess kali a mother goddess worshipped in the eastern parts of the countrythe hyderabad kalibari in secunderabad leads in the kali puja celebrations here established in 1974 this is the only temple dedicated to goddess kali in the twin cities every year more than 1500 devotees get together to celebrate kali puja at this temple the temple itself is modelled around the famous dakshineswar temple in kolkataspeaking to toi aparna dasgupta one of the organisers and someone whose family has been associated with this kali puja for two generations said every year we serve bhog community dinner to nearly 2000 people our menu includes the most authentic delicacies of the bengali household khichudi labda payesh and chutneyan interesting feature of the food served at the temple is that the menu is prepared entirely by members of the organising committee we have 2025 people some of whom are retired defence personnel who volunteer to cook every year preparing the meal for goddess kali and her devotees is considered a privilege aparna saidanother major kali puja celebration is organised by uttarayan a bengali sociocultural organisation that has been hosting the kali puja in ameerpet for 41 years in a row this year the organisation is calling upon all bengalis to participate in the several competitions art dance and music among others being hosted by themchanchal sarbajna the general secretary of the organising committee and a scientist by profession told toi that the celebration this year is going to be marked by the sheer variety of cuisines made available at the food stalls here we are going to have around 30 food stalls here we aim to achieve a unique blend of bengali and telugu cuisine this yearthe most distinctive feature of the kali puja organised by uttarayan is a grand feast the organisers have planned a sumptuous meal of mutton curry and rice for everyone on october 28additionally both the pujas are going to host musical evenings by wellknown bengali singers the spirited celebrations will in many ways further lighten up diwali in this melting pot of cultures called hyderabad