A boat ride on the Ganges. Picture by Rashbehari Das

What: Puja festivities.

Where: Floatel, 9/10 Calcutta Jetty

Festive fare: There’s a lot more you can do at this riverside hotel than enjoy sumptuous Bengali cuisine during the Pujas. The Bridge coffee shop and The Compass restaurant will remain open 24 hours and to complement the food is a stunning view of the setting sun and a host of activities.

Resident guests or diners can enjoy live bands, magic shows, Baul gaan, paan saja, shankho dhoni and ulu dhoni competitions. And for those guests who cannot make it to the pandals, khichuri bhog will be on the room-service menu! The Floatel also offers a fantastic view of the immersion.

“Rooms, meals and entertainment, this Puja is special. Even the sound of the dhak outside the main gate is traditional and heralds the activities, much like a town-crier,” says Manab Pal, managing director, Manor Floatel Limited, the firm that owns the floating hotel.

Pocket pinch: A one-night stay is priced at Rs 3,200 per couple. A boat ride comes complementary with the package and costs Rs 500 for diners.

Voiceover: “Durga Puja and the Ganges are synonymous. Where can you get closer to Ma Durga than on the riverside?” says Rajib Roy Choudhury, general manager, Floatel.