Durga Puja in West Bengal 2026: Popular Pandals, Dates & Food

Durga Puja in West Bengal is when the whole state goes crazy (in the best way)!

Every year around September or October, West Bengal turns into one giant party. We're talking about Durga Puja—the festival that makes Christmas look quiet. In 2026, the main five days fall from 17 to 21 October, with pandal hopping starting in full force from Shashthi. From Bagbazar Sarbojanin and Kumartuli Park in North Kolkata to Santosh Mitra Square and Ekdalia Evergreen further south, every corner comes alive.

Here's what happens: neighborhoods compete to build the most gorgeous temporary temples called pandals. Some look like famous monuments, others like spaceships. People spend months planning these things, and the results are incredible.

Goddess Durga gets the VIP treatment with elaborate statues, fancy decorations, and flowers. They dress up in new attire, gorge themselves on sweets, and go temple-hopping from one pandal to the next like they're bar-hopping, except that it's temple-hopping. The roads are lined with drums, dancing people, and food stalls galore.

The Durga Puja Festival in West Bengal is hands down one of the biggest events in all of India. Looking for more ways to travel around major celebrations? Explore all our Events and festival packages for upcoming experiences.

Durga Puja usually falls in September or October, during the month of Ashwin in the Hindu calendar. The festival lasts for five main days-Shashthi, Saptami, Ashtami, Navami, and Dashami—though preparations begin months in advance.

Streets are lit up weeks before the festival, and by the time the actual puja begins, the entire state becomes a living canvas of colours and joy.

• Mahalaya: 10 October 2026
• Maha Chaturthi: 15 October 2026
• Maha Panchami: 16 October 2026
• Maha Shashthi: 17 October 2026
• Maha Saptami: 18 October 2026
• Maha Ashtami: 19 October 2026
• Maha Navami: 20 October 2026
• Vijaya Dashami / Dashami: 21 October 2026

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Durga Puja Festival in West Bengal is full of rituals, art, community, and meaning.

• Mahalaya: This is the day people remember ancestors, recite the Chandi Path, and invoke the goddess’s arrival. It sets the mood.
• Shashthi: Goddess Durga is welcomed. There’s Bodhan (invoking the goddess), Kalparambha. Idols are unveiled.
• Saptami: Nabapatrika (nine plants representing the goddess) are worshipped. Bhog (offering food) begins in a big way.
• Ashtami: Big rituals like Sandhi Puja, Kumari Puja, and cultural programmes. It’s intense and festive.
• Navami: Final rituals, more bhog, last evening for pandal visits.
• Vijaya Dashami / Dashami: Immersion of the idol (visarjan). People bid farewell, there’s Sindoor Khela (women applying vermilion to each other) in Kolkata, and emotional goodbyes..

Durga Puja in Kolkata unfolds across hundreds of pandals, far more than anyone can cover in five days, so planning by neighbourhood works better than trying to chase a long list.

Bagbazar Sarbojanin

Bagbazar Sarbojanin is where the older Kolkata Puja tradition is still easy to see. Dating back to 1919, it is known for its sabeki style, where the idol itself remains the focus rather than an elaborate themed structure. Durga and her children stand together under a single arched frame, traditionally decorated with the shimmering foil ornamentation known as daker saaj. For a quieter look at the idol and its detailing, mornings are a better choice before the crowds build up.

Kumartuli Park

The 2026 theme at Kumartuli Park is “O Ganga Tumi Boichho Keno” (Oh Ganga, Why Do You Flow?), centred on the Ganga and its place in the life and history of Kolkata. The pandal takes visitors through the river's journey, using installations, lighting, sound and craftsmanship to bring the theme to life.

Among the Durga Puja pandals in Kolkata, this one has a rare advantage: it sits in the the city's famous potters' quarter, that is home to generations of idol makers, so you can combine the pandal visit with a walk through the nearby workshops where many of Kolkata's Durga idols take shape.

Sikdar Bagan Sadharan

Sikdar Bagan Sadharan is a neighbourhood Puja tucked into a narrow residential lane, giving it more of a local para(neighbourhood or locality) feel than a large-scale attraction. The Puja dates back to 1913 and is celebrating its 114th year in 2026.

This year's theme, “Panche Panchaban” (The Five Arrows), draws on the traditional idea of Panchaban, the five flower-tipped arrows associated with Kamadeva. The theme reveal has already been announced, while the completed pandal will bring the concept to life during the festival.

Hatibagan Sarbojanin

Hatibagan Sarbojanin's 2026 theme looks at how old Kolkata is changing. “Chhannachhara” brings together the city's old buildings, balconies and verandahs with the high-rises that have come up around them. It is also an easy addition to a North Kolkata route covering Shyambazar, Bagbazar and Kumartuli, making it practical for a night of pandal hopping.

Telengabagan Sarbojanin

Telengabagan Sarbojanin is known for bringing stories from Kolkata's past into its Puja decorations. Its 2026 theme, “Tilottamar Alinder Iti Kotha,” explores the character of old Kolkata through heritage-inspired structures & details. Located in Ultadanga, it makes a good addition to a North Kolkata pandal route.

Nalin Sarkar Street Sarbojanin

Nalin Sarkar Street Sarbojanin takes an environmental turn in 2026 with “Jalalipi,” a theme centred on rivers and the impact of pollution on them. The pandal uses water and river imagery to tell the story, giving this old Shyambazar-area Puja a strong environmental focus.

Kashi Bose Lane Durga Puja Samity

Kashi Bose Lane is a long-running North Kolkata Puja, dating back to 1937 and run in the barowari style, where the neighbourhood comes together to organise the festival.

The organisers say rituals begin as early as Pratipad, and bhog is served to visitors from Shashthi to Nabami, which makes it an easy stop to pair with a meal. Part of Kolkata's UNESCO-recognised Durga Puja tradition, it is a worthwhile addition for travellers who want to see an established neighbourhood celebration alongside the larger theme pandals.

College Square

College Square is one of Central Kolkata's best-known Durga Puja stops, celebrating its 76th year in 2026, according to the organisers.

The pandal is lit up beside the College Square lake, and the reflections on the water make it look especially good after dark. The Puja is held in the College Street area, best known for its book market and the university buildings around it, which gives the pandal a very different setting from North Kolkata's residential lanes.

Santosh Mitra Square

Santosh Mitra Square is one of Kolkata's major crowd-pullers, set in Lebutala Park in the Bowbazar area of Central Kolkata and known for its high-tech laser, light and sound shows. The 2026 theme, "Vande Mataram," marks 150 years of India's national song and traces its link with the freedom struggle and Partition, with a tribute to national revolutionaries.

Visitors can expect a Kolkata Metro train replica alongside the light-and-sound presentation. Recent video coverage from the pandal shows the Durga idol has already arrived from Kumartuli and been installed, though the finished look will only be clear once the Puja begins on 16 October.

Mohammad Ali Park

Mohammad Ali Park is one of the long-running and well-known Pujas in Central Kolkata, with a tradition of creating large architectural pandals inspired by famous monuments and heritage sites. The Puja dates back to 1969 and has become known for its grand scale and changing themes. In 2026, the pandal takes inspiration from South Indian Chola temple architecture, giving visitors a very different visual experience from the traditional Bengali-style Pujas.

Ekdalia Evergreen Club

Ekdalia Evergreen is one of South Kolkata's established Pujas, known for traditional-style idols and large architectural pandals. In 2026, its 84th year, the club recreates Gujarat's Somnath Temple, with the Durga idol beneath a vintage chandelier. Visits between 2 am and 5 am are suggested for fewer crowds.

Deshapriya Park

Deshapriya Park is one of South Kolkata's well-known Pujas, set along Rash Behari Avenue and celebrating its 89th year in 2026. This year's theme is a classical white-and-gold temple with towering spires and a grand staircase. The organizers confirmed the idol is crafted by Padma Shri awardee Sanatan Rudra Pal. Entry is free, and evenings draw the biggest crowds.

Chetla Agrani

Chetla Agrani takes visitors into rural Bengal for its 2026 Puja, held on Peary Mohan Roy Road in Chetla, South Kolkata. The pandal draws on folk culture, using patachitra, terracotta and other village crafts to bring the region's artistic heritage into an urban setting. Pandal hopping here is best planned from Shashthi on 17 October.

Bosepukur Sitala Mandir

Bosepukur Sitala Mandir is one of Kasba's well-known Durga Pujas and has long been associated with theme-based pandals. In its 77th year, the 2026 theme, "Chup," turns to silence and self-reflection. Set on Bose Pukur Road in Kasba, it is a good stop for visitors who want something different from the large temple-style pandals.

Suruchi Sangha

Suruchi Sangha in New Alipore is one of South Kolkata's well-known theme Pujas, celebrating its 74th year in 2026. This year's theme, "Padma," takes the lotus as its central idea, with the flower reflected across the pandal and idol design. It is built with eco-friendly materials and is meant to evoke purity, spirituality and grace.

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Kalyani

Kalyani is known for its large-scale theme pandals, with local committees turning their Puja grounds into elaborate artistic installations. The celebrations also have a strong community character, making the town a good pick for travellers who enjoy creative pandal designs along with the festive atmosphere.

Siliguri

Siliguri brings Durga Puja to North Bengal, with established community celebrations spread across the city. Along with elaborate pandals, many committees organise cultural programmes and neighbourhood festivities, giving visitors a chance to experience the festival in a different regional setting.

Barasat

Barasat is known for its large community-organised Pujas & elaborate pandal designs. Major Puja grounds become busy gathering points during the festival, with decorative installations, lights and cultural activities adding to the atmosphere throughout the celebrations.

Howrah

Howrah has a strong Puja tradition across neighbourhoods such as Shibpur, Salkia & Liluah. Its celebrations range from long-running community Pujas to elaborate modern pandals, with different neighbourhoods offering plenty of options for an evening of pandal hopping.

Bardhaman

Bardhaman offers a more local-paced Puja experience, with community celebrations taking place across the city. Traditional worship, decorated pandals and cultural programmes come together during the festival, giving visitors an opportunity to see how Durga Puja is celebrated in another part of Bengal.

No Durga Puja celebration is complete without food. Here’s what you must try.

• Bhog: Public Pujas commonly serve khichuri, labra, chutney and payesh as part of the bhog.
• Street food: Try phuchka, jhal muri, egg and chicken rolls, chops, cutlets and other favourites while pandal hopping for Durga Puja food Kolkata.
• Bengali sweets: Mishti doi, sandesh, rosogolla and other local sweets are easy to find during the festival.
• Local specialities: If you travel beyond Kolkata, look for regional sweets and local snacks specific to the town or district you are visiting.

If you’re coming from outside, or even from another city:

1. Book your stay early, especially if you are travelling to Kolkata from Shashthi to Dashami, when demand is high.
2. In Kolkata, Park Street, Esplanade, Ballygunge, and Salt Lake offer a wide range of hotels and convenient transport connections. If your itinerary focuses on North Kolkata pandals, staying closer to the Shobhabazar, Shyambazar or Bagbazar side can reduce travel time.
3. For trips to places such as Kalyani, Siliguri, Barasat, Howrah or Bardhaman, staying close to the main railway station or your chosen Puja cluster can make local travel easier.

Here are some simple tips to get the best out of the festival.

1. Plan around the dates: Pandal hopping peaks from Shashthi to Navami, 17 to 20 October. Dashami is for farewells and immersion.
2. Plan by neighbourhood: In Kolkata, pick one cluster for the day, such as Bagbazar and Kumartuli, and save the rest for another evening.
3. Visit early: Go in the morning if you can. The big pandals pack out after dark.
4. Wear comfortable clothes: You will be on your feet for hours, so sturdy shoes matter more than the outfit.
5. Carry essentials: Bring a power bank and a water bottle. Smaller stalls may prefer cash, so keep some notes on you. Long evenings drain a phone battery quickly.
6. Respect Puja spaces: Worship areas and entrances should stay clear, and the volunteers will tell you where to stand. Ask before you photograph any ritual.
7. Check photography rules: Not every pandal allows photos or flash. A quick question at the entrance settles it.
8. Use public transport where possible: Metro and local trains are handy in Kolkata, but peak hours get crowded and journeys take longer than you would expect.

Kolkata's grand pandals and the community Pujas across the state each show a different side of the festival. Map out your route, book your stay early, then enjoy Durga Puja in West Bengal 2026.

Hope your Puja days are full of good lights and better food. Shubho Durga Pujo!