Durga Puja Kolkata

দুর্গাপূজা

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Religious & SpiritualKolkata
Dates15–23 October 2026Confirmed listing
Duration9 daysListed event span
Crowd-Public scale varies
Best forCeremony, pilgrimageThe distinguishing feature is pandal-hopping
LanguageHindi, English, and local languagesCurrency: INR
CategoryReligious & SpiritualFestival type
The story

Durga Puja Kolkata in Kolkata

Kolkata's Durga Puja turns entire neighborhoods into a ten-day open-air art exhibition, with thousands of community-funded pandals competing on theme and craftsmanship. Clay idols shaped in the Kumartuli potters' quarter from riverbed clay are worshipped, then carried in torchlit processions to the Hooghly for immersion on the final day. UNESCO inscribed the festival on its Intangible Cultural Heritage list in 2021, recognizing its blend of religious ritual, sculpture and civic participation.

Kumartuli, a riverside potters' quarter in north Kolkata, spends the weeks before Durga Puja shaping unfired clay dredged from the Hooghly into images of Durga spearing the buffalo demon Mahishasura, flanked by Lakshmi, Saraswati, Ganesha and Kartikeya.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

The distinguishing feature is pandal-hopping culture: rather than one central shrine, Kolkata hosts thousands of independently themed pavilions, each commissioning its own artists to build elaborate sets around the clay idol, ranging from replicas of famous monuments to installations addressing social issues

02

The mystery stays covered

Judging panels and media tour the top pandals each year, and crowds move between neighborhoods through the night to see as many as possible before Vijaya Dashami

03

The city starts moving

The Kumartuli potters' colony, where generations of artisans model the idols from Hooghly riverbed clay and straw armatures, can also be visited directly in the weeks leading up to the festival

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

Core traditions include the sthapana

Water and renewal

Living ritual

or installation

The sacred route

Living ritual

of the idol

The local code

Living ritual

daily rituals across Shashthi through Dashami

Tradition 5

Living ritual

Sandhi Puja marking the transition between Ashtami and Navami

Tradition 6

Living ritual

dhunuchi naach

Tradition 7

Living ritual

a devotional dance performed with smoking incense burners

Tradition 8

Living ritual

and the Bengali custom of women applying vermilion to each other's faces

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

15–23 October 2026

Getting around

Move patiently around ceremony routes and leave space for worshippers and participants.

What to wear

Many Bengali visitors wear new sarees and dhoti-panjabi sets for Ashtami and Navami, the festival's most significant days, but there is no dress requirement for pandal-hopping and ordinary...

Safety

Watch local behavior before photographing, filming, or entering sacred spaces.

Where to stay

Stay near the part of the city you will actually use, with a simple return route after the main event.

Tickets/cost

Public ritual moments are often free, but donations, transport, or temple access may vary.

Language/currency

INR

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map22.56 N, 88.36 EOpen in Google Maps

Kolkata, West Bengal, India

Nearest airportCCU — Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose
TransportMove patiently around ceremony routes and leave space for worshippers and participants.
Stay areaStay near the part of the city you will actually use, with a simple return route after the main event.

Your Trip Starts Here

External travel services to turn the plan into a trip — each opens in a new tab.

How to get thereRoutes, times and prices to Kolkata via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near Kolkata, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for October.Compare faresFestival gearMany Bengali visitors wear new sarees and dhoti-panjabi sets for Ashtami and Navami, the festival's most significant days, but there is no dress requirement for pandal-hopping and ordinary comfortable clothing is standard for most of the crowd.Shop the kitCheck visa requirementsSee whether you need a visa for India and apply online.Check entry rulesTravel insuranceCover for trip hiccups, gear and health on the road.Get covered

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FAQ

Quick answers.

When is Durga Puja Kolkata?

Durga Puja Kolkata is listed for 15–23 October 2026. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does Durga Puja Kolkata take place?

The festival is listed in Kolkata, India. The map coordinate is a planning reference, not a guarantee of a ticket gate or exact venue.

How long should I plan for?

9 days is the listed festival span. Add time for arrival, local transport, queues, and any route changes during the event.

Is a source linked?

Official source linked. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.

Where exactly is it?

Kolkata, West Bengal, India

Is it family friendly?

unknown

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

This guide is independently written by Eventisimus using publicly available information, official event and organiser sources where available, local tourism references, and additional editorial research. Eventisimus is not the official organiser of this festival and is not affiliated with it unless explicitly stated.

Festival dates, schedules, ticket conditions, access rules, and local arrangements can change. We aim to present useful and accurate information, but travelers should confirm important details with the official event source before booking transport, accommodation, or tickets.

Found something inaccurate or outdated? Email hello@eventisimus.com with the festival page link and the correction.

Official URLtrulyindiatours.com
Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →
SourceSource link available
Listed dates15–23 October 2026
Source statusOfficial source linked
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