India, Sept. 25 -- The air is already thick with the scent of mustard oil, sizzling spices and festive anticipation. As Durga Puja begins this weekend, home chefs in Delhi-NCR are turning their homes into little slices of Kolkata. These intimate feasts for lunch and dinner promise an immersion into the warmth of Bengali hospitality. "Food is a big part of the celebrations. You may go to the fanciest Bengali restaurant, but nothing beats the experience of being cosy at home. We want to bring that culture to Delhi-NCR with our Durga Puja special meal (Rs.2,100 per person)," says Dwarka-based Susmita Guha Srivastava (9810217710), who is preparing to host guests between September 27 and October 1. "The food is prepared to give our guests in Delhi-NCR the feel of 'maa ke haath ka khaana'. That's as authentic as it gets! This year, I'll treat guests to sarson hilsa, baingan hilsa, mutton and chicken kosha, paturi and sukto," she adds. At Moushumi Moitra's (9560940750) table in Gurugram's Sector 112, Pujo meals aren't just about food. "Alongside relishing some delicious food, you'll also go back having learnt new skills and recipes. For instance, we'll teach guests what goes into making the famous Bengali luchi - from rolling to frying. This year, I'll be serving aloo dum, dal puri, aloo chop, nolen gur rosogolla and khoya malpua," she shares. The most exciting part, she notes is the diverse mix of people enquiring about such home dining setups: "There's also a lot of interest from foreigners, tourists and expats who tell us, 'We want Bengali flavours and the real Durga Puja experience'." On the flip side, attendees like city-based insurance advisor Subodh Chatterjee say it's exciting to be able to attend such curated Pujo events. "I got married to my wife (who is from Rajasthan) this year and wanted her to soak in the Pujo vibe. Going to Kolkata wasn't possible, so I found these experiences to be the best way to give my wife a deep dive into my culture and impress her with Bengali food!"...