To begin with, WBTDC will organize pre-Puja parikramas at night for about 450 people on October 4-5. Four buses will start around 10 pm and tour 13 locations before returning to the tourism office around 6 am.

The pandals to be visited include College Square, Kashi Bose Lane, Mohammad Ali Park, Mudiali, Ekdalia Evergreen, Singhi Park and Park Circus. Those preferring to travel by AC buses will have to fork out Rs 600 per head while others Rs 400. The pandal hoppers will be served packed dinner.

From October 5-8, WBTDC will conduct trips to traditional Pujas on the outskirts of Kolkata. For Rs 1,200 per head, people can travel by Tata Sumos to the 300-year-old Goswami Barir Puja in Serampore, the Sheoraphuli Rajbari and the terracotta Naba Kailash temple in Kalna. The tourists will be treated to lunch at the 552-year-old baroari Puja in Guptipara. The trips start at 7 am.

Like on previous occasions, WBTDC will also take the riverine route from October 5-9. MV Sumangal and MV Sarbajaya will carry 120 passengers between 10 am and 1 pm and 6 pm and 9 pm for a special Puja trip on the Hooghly. Those opting for the morning trip will be charged Rs 500 while those going on the evening ride another Rs 100 extra. The vessels will depart from the Outram Ghat jetty. Between October 6 and 8, revellers will be taken to seven famous family Pujas, including Hatkhola Dutta Bari and Shovabazar Rajbari. WBTDC will also bid adieu to the Devi on October 10 and 11 between 6 pm and 7.30 pm and 8 pm-9.30 pm on board the MV Sumangal and MV Sarbajaya.

For the first time, WBTDC has planned packages for high-end tourists from outside the state. A two nights/three day stay at a four star hotel will work out to Rs 21,000 plus taxes. This will include pandal-hopping and other attractions.