Last Updated on September 26, 2025 by admin
Every year, the city of Kolkata undergoes significant changes. This is a time when the streets are decorated with lights, music can be heard everywhere, and millions come together to celebrate. The Bengali community is renowned for its celebrations and festivities during Durga Puja.
Durga Puja is much more than just a religious festival. The Hindu festival of Durga Puja honours the Goddess Durga, a powerful female deity of strength, according to stories passed down. For thousands of years, the Goddess Durga battled an evil demon and in the end, defeated the demon. This Goddess’s victory saved the world from distress. For five days, the winner of the tussle in heaven is brought down to earth.
The whole city of Kolkata comes together to celebrate Durga Puja incidentally. Neighbourhoods Create Beautiful Temporary Pandal Structures. These are like outdoor art galleries where people place statues of Goddess Durga, which are made beautifully. Some pandals are traditional and straightforward, while others look like famous buildings or tell stories through creative designs.
Families wear new clothes and visit various pandals for five days. This fun activity is known as “pandal hopping.” People go out to enjoy delicious food, meet friends and relatives, and experience cultural programs. Across the world, celebrations are a daily occurrence, regardless of one’s social standing.
The Bengali festival brings people together and keeps the culture alive. Local artists, craftspeople and volunteers toil for months to realise each pandal. During the festive season, markets get crowded. Streets turn into walking paths. The city gets decorated. Durga Puja shows the heart and soul of Kolkata. The time when the city shines its presence and the world learns about rich culture, creativity, and community spirit. You can also explore Kolkata during Durga Puja with Bharat Taxi.
Historical Roots and Evolution of Durga Puja.
Ancient Origins
Goddess Durga has been worshipped in India from ancient times. A long time ago, people in different parts of India worshipped a great mother goddess who protected them from evil and harm. We learn from the Puranas, ancient Hindu texts, that Durga fought a fierce battle with Mahishasura, a demon who could transform himself into different forms.
Durga worship started in Bengal to mark the change of seasons. When food was ready to be harvested, the people thanked the goddess for saving their crop. Worship in the beginning was simple and typically conducted by each family in their own home or small village group.
Durga Devi signifies the goddess who represents female divinity. Long ago, people thought this power would destroy evil and bring peace and happiness. People viewed Durga as a loving mother who would battle danger for the sake of her children. People in Bengal have always respected strong women and mothers, and thus, this idea was quite significant.
There is mention of Durga Puja in old Bengali literature and songs. Poets wrote about her beauty, strength, and kindness. Durga was much more than just a deity. The scriptures show she inspired art, music, and storytelling. Autumn became special as it is the time period when the goddess appears on Earth, and people can feel it most.
Colonial Era Development
Durga Puja underwent significant changes during the British rule of India, which spanned the 18th and 19th centuries. Only wealthy families were able to organise Durga Puja in their houses before this. These were called “bonedi bari pujas” or family pujas. Wealthy landlords and traders would invite their friends and neighbours to their private celebrations.
However, one incident occurred in 1790 at Guptipara. Twelve friends together decided to pool money and celebrate a community Durga Puja for everyone’s enjoyment. This was the first “sarbojanin” or public puja. Within a short time, the idea spread to Kolkata, where the first community puja began.
Many Bengalis feared losing their identity during British rule. The Durga Puja community strengthened Bengali identity in a changing world. Neighbourhood groups formed committees to organise pujas. They gathered donations from people in the area and held celebrations that included everyone, regardless of wealth.
During the colonial period new artistic styles evolved in puja. Bengali artists creatively blended conventional Indian art with European styles they learned in British schools. The Pandal decorations became more elaborate, while the idol-making became more detailed and pretty. This era marked the beginning of the yearly accumulation of artistic and creative elements that we see today.
Modern Transformation
After India gained independence in 1947, Durga Puja in Kolkata underwent significant changes. From a religion-based festival, the event turned into a celebration of Bengali culture, arts & community over the ages. Durga Puja is a platform for social issues. Political leaders and social activists have begun using Durga Puja as a platform to raise awareness and bring people together for social problems. In the 1960s and 1970s, the theme-based pandals were started by puja committees. Instead of just building simple structures, artists began creating pandals that resembled famous buildings, told historical stories, or highlighted social issues such as pollution and poverty.
As a result, Durga Puja was not only a religious event, but also an outdoor art exhibition. Kolkata’s Durga Puja soon gained fame worldwide. During puja time, people from other countries come to Kolkata to experience this festival. The government recognised the importance of Durga Puja for tourism and culture and began supporting it and organising special programs. Today, Durga Puja is Bengal’s largest festival, which brings together millions of people each year. The festival is not just about faith anymore, it has become about creativity, community and culture. With sound systems, lighting effects, and apps on smartphones, modern pujas are designed to be enjoyed. Puja now symbolises the contemporary spirit of Bengal along with traditional values. It illustrates how ancient traditions can continue to evolve and adapt to the times, thereby remaining relevant in today’s world. Thus, Durga Puja is a perfect case of living heritage.
Rituals and Religious Significance of Durga Puja
The Mythology
The tale of Goddess Durga is one of the most powerful narratives evolving in Hindu mythology. Long ago, there was a demon named Mahishasura who could switch from a human to a buffalo. This angry demon proved to be a mighty one. He became so powerful that he defeated the gods and seized control of heaven. The gods were powerless and did not know what to do. Ultimately, all gods combined their powers and created Goddess Durga. The goddess was the most beautiful and powerful imaginable, having ten arms that could hold all weapons. The various gods gave each other different armaments. Lord Shiva gave his trident, Lord Vishnu gave his chakra, and Lord Indra gave his thunderbolt. She rode a lion that symbolised courage and strength. The fight between Durga and Mahishasura lasted for nine days and nights. The demon did not keep quiet and tried his lethal tricks and took different forms, but the Goddess Durga was wiser and mightier. On the tenth day, she defeats and kills the evil demon, which brings peace to the universe.
History is not just about good winning over evil. Goddess Durga symbolises the strength of justice and truth. Her ten arms signify that she can tackle any problem coming from any direction. The lion symbolises controlled power. The different weapons represent various qualities, including knowledge, devotion, and determination. For Bengali people, Durga is not merely a goddess; she is a caring mother who shields her children from all harmful things and troubles. Preparations for Durga Puja begin months in advance of the actual celebration; however, the most essential preparation occurs on Mahalaya day, which falls exactly six days before the start of the puja. Mahalaya is the beginning of the ‘Devi Paksha’, the time when Goddess Durga is said to descend to Earth from her heavenly abode. Bengali families wake up very early, sometimes even before sunrise on Mahalaya, to listen to the Mahishasura Mardini programme, which is aired on the radio.
The Mahishasura Mardini, a seasonal programme, has been running for more than 90 years; it is the recitation of the Chandi Path, which recounts the diversion of the Goddess and her victory over the evil buffalo demon king, Mahishasura. The pleasant voice and verses in Sanskrit create a spiritual environment and fill the Bengali homes with devotion. During Mahalaya, people also observe “Pitru Paksha” rituals to remember their ancestors. This offline function is based on a source that states, “They strengthen their hearts and minds to receive the goddess.” People visit the Ganga River to offer water and prayers for their departed family members. As soon as Mahalaya is over, excitement fills the air. The families are purchasing new clothes, the market is getting busier with buyers and puja committees are finalising their pandal. Artists in Kumartuli are busy putting the finishing touches on the clay idols of Goddess Durga. Everyone anticipates the goddess’s arrival; the air itself seems to be electric with excitement.
Pre-Festival Preparations
The preparations for Durga Puja begin months in advance of the actual festival. Still, the most essential preparations occur on Mahalaya day, which falls exactly six days before the puja commences. Mahalaya marks the beginning of Devi Paksha, the period when the Goddess Durga descends to earth. On the morning of Mahalaya, Bengali families wake up early, generally before sunrise, to hear a special radio programme called Mahishasura Mardini. For more than 90 years, it has been broadcast on the radio. It contains the recitation of the Chandi Path, which tells of Durga’s triumph over evil. The sweet voice and the Sanskrit hymn create a spiritual feel in Bengali homes. During Mahalaya, people also do the “Pitru Paksha” ritual as a respect to their ancestors.
They think that remembering those who came before them prepares their hearts and minds for the goddess’s arrival. Many people visit the Ganga River to offer water and prayers for their departed family members. The days following Mahalaya are filled with excitement and preparations. People buy new clothes, markets get busy, and puja committees make final touches in their pandals. Skilled artisans were observed at the grounds putting the finishing touches on the beautiful clay idols of Goddess Durga. As the goddess is ready to make her appearance, there is a great air of anticipation.
The Five-Day Festivities
The main Durga Puja festivities last for a total of five days. Each day has its unique significance and celebrations. **Shashti** is the first day that Goddess Durga is officially welcomed on earth. Bodhon is the most critical ritual to awaken the goddess. Priests offer prayers through which a goddess’s clay idol is given life. A ceremony named the Kalparambulan Puja marks the commencement of the puja, when devotees offer the first prayers of the festival. The actual celebration starts on Saptami. The day begins with the “Nabapatrika” ceremony, during which nine plants symbolising the nine forms of Goddess Durga are bathed in the river and carried to the puja. The idols are worshipped and dressed like a bride, along with the main idol. The first major puja and bhog (food offering) take place on this day. Ashtami is the most important day of Durga Puja. Ashtami withdraws, Jayadwaja, and Navami begin.
The “Sandhi Puja” is performed at the moment Ashtami finishes and Navami starts. Goddess Durga is believed to have killed the evil Mahishasura during this time. Another lovely ritual is the Kumari Puja. Young girls are worshipped as forms of the goddess. She embodies the pure form of divine feminine power.
Navami is called Maha Navami. This is the day of a grand celebration. A highly decorated offering of food follows early morning prayers. Various cultural programs, music, and dance performances take place throughout the day, creating a festive atmosphere.
Dashami is the last and most emotional day. In the morning, married women apply sindoor on the goddess and each other in a ceremony called “Sindoor Khela”. They do this prayer for the happiness of their family.
After the evening prayer, there is “Bisarjan” which means immersion. It is when the clay idols are immersed in the rivers that they are carried in processions. It signifies the return of the goddess to her heavenly abode. Using the clay idol signifies the temporary nature of worldly existence. Some priests invoke oil lamps in front of the goddess every day during aarti, often accompanied by devotional songs. The light signifies the eradication of darkness and ignorance from life. Pushpanjali is when the devotee offers a flower to the goddess by chanting the goddess’s name. Everyone gets to have their personal connection with the divine twice a day. The flowers symbolise the purity and devotion of the heart. The bhog is another essential ritual. It is during bhog that specially made vegetarian food is offered to the goddess. The food is then distributed to devotees as prasad. Food served during Durga Puja includes rice, dal, vegetables and sweets that are prepared according to traditional recipes. The special dance performed with smoking incense burners is known as “Dhunuchi Naach”. The aromatic smoke is believed to purify the surroundings and carry prayers to the goddess.
These connect us back to our roots while linking communities in celebration and devotion.
The Art of Pandals
Traditional Pandal Structure
In the early days of community Durga Puja, the pandals were basic temporary structures built just to house the goddess and her devotees. The people definitely had more imagination, but traditionally, these pandals made use of bamboo poles, jute cloth, and other natural materials that were readily available and affordable enough for locals. The basic structure was a simple rectangle or square with four walls and a roof. The skeleton was made from bamboo with thick poles placed into the ground and thinner ones used for the frames. The walls were draped with white or colored cloth that would have simple agriculture, flowers, and leaves or traditional Bengali designs painted on it. The roofs of the pandal were mainly covered with corrugated tin sheets resembling thatch.
The entrance was usually just a modest door, which was sometimes decorated with banana leaves and mango leaves, considered auspicious by the Bengalese. Inside, devotees had seating made of natural materials such as sand or hay. These early designs were influenced by Bengali architecture. A lot of pandals had roofs curved like typical Bengali huts and arches resembling terracotta temples. The pillars were made in the style of old Bengali mansions. The colour schemes were usually plain, with white dominant, followed by red and yellow, which were most often used. Even traditional designs had regional variations. Many rural pandals used local crafts and materials. Meanwhile, urban pandals of Kolkata usually displayed colonial architecture influences. Even though they were simple, the traditional pandals served their purpose well, creating a holy space where the community could come together, pray, and celebrate together while adhering to their Bengali culture.
Development of Pandal Design
In the 1960s, pandal design began to change as creative artists and architects experimented with various designs. The simple shelters established have evolved into elaborate structures that could rival the standards of other art exhibitions. Pandals have a theme each year now. Some reenact the Taj Mahal, St. Peter’s Basilica, or the White House, or similar structures. Some share tales from the past, including current events. Environmental topics are a big focus nowadays, with the pandals discussing climate change, pollution, or wildlife. Pandal designs also reflect social issues, such as women’s empowerment, education, and healthcare. Modern pandals are built using technology. These days, artists are using fibreglass, thermocol, plaster of Paris, and even steel frameworks. Modern lighting systems enhance the visitor experience through dramatic effects and sophisticated technologies such as LED lights and computerised sound systems. Coolers, escalators and projectors now support pandas. The material and techniques have become very fancy. Artists use spray paint, digital printing, and 3D modelling to create realistic replicas of famous buildings. Pandals having moving parts, water features, and interactive elements engage visitors in more novel ways. Today, technology uses projection mapping, which makes the entire pandal walls a dynamic display. Also, famous pandal designers have become celebrities. The vibrant and unique designs of Bengal have made many notable names popular, including Rintu Das, Bhabatosh Sutar, and Pradip Rudra Paul. The pandal artists start planning for the following year’s pandal as soon as the festival is over. Therefore, pandal making has become a thoroughly modern process.
Iconic Kolkata Pandals
Several Kolkata pandals have achieved legendary status for their consistent excellence, innovation, or historical significance. Every year, millions of people visit these pandals, which have become essential stops during the Durga Puja festivities. Kumartuli Park is notable for upholding tradition, with its traditional artistic excellence, while also incorporating modern elements. This pandal, dedicated to local artisans, is situated in the potters’ quarter, where idols of the Goddess Durga are crafted. The decorations often use traditional Bengali forms and classical themes. Bagbazar Sarbojanin is one of the oldest community pujas anywhere in Kolkata, dating back in 1850. This pandal embodies both heritage value and modernity. Their celebrations combine age-old rituals with modern cultural programs, proving how traditions can remain relevant.
*Shobhabazar Rajbari* emanates the royal Bengali grandeur. Once a ritual for the Rajbari (royal house), it was opened to the general public without losing its royal essence. The pandal’s design embodies the classical Bengali architecture and royal traditions. Santosh Mitra Square is reputed for using gigantic, spectacular themes, which require months of planning and execution. This pandal creates original, full-scale replicas of popular monuments and has won numerous awards.
*Suruchi Sangha* is recognised for successful and innovative themes year after year that tackle social issues while being artistically superior. Visitors reflect on contemporary issues while praying, with the pandals showcasing captivating fixtures and installations. Each iconic pandal has crafted a brand for itself, with followers of each having their own identity.
Competition is the Name of the Game
The artistic evolution of pandals has led to an informal but intense competition among diverse neighbourhoods and puja committees. Each year, organisations work to construct structures that are different from all others ones. While the primary aim remains a religious one, this has evolved over the years. It is the same as when someone thinks of a new idea while others try to replicate the old ones. Committees are competing for the number of visitors. Successful pandals attract hundreds of thousands of people over the five-day period. Social media has worsened the contest as impressive pandals quickly go viral in photos and videos. This has given instant fame to creative designs. Now, a few organisations officially present the award. The state government awards prizes for the best theme, best traditional puja, and best new entrant. Newspapers, as well as TV channel,s have their own competition categories such as best lighting, most innovative design, best cultural program, etc. The competition spirit has a positive impact on the grand festival. Local artists and craftspeople have opportunities to participate in art innovation activities, ensuring the practice remains alive. Young creators get the chance to showcase their work, while experienced designers push their handiwork to its limits and refine their work. However, this competition also has drawbacks. Every year, committees are under pressure to do something bigger and better than the previous year. This has led to rising costs, and in some cases, expenses of several million rupees are being spent on their pandals. The use of biodegradable elements and the enormity of construction have raised environmental concerns. Nonetheless, competition has transformed Durga Puja into the world’s largest open-air art exhibition, where creativity, devotion, and the energy of community bonding come together to create the magic that we see during Durga Puja. This represents the best of Bengali culture and artistic expression.
Kolkata’s Unique Durga Puja Culture
Community Bonding
Durga Puja in Kolkata creates the strongest bonds between neighbours and community members anywhere in the world. Every neighbourhood forms a puja committee months before the festival. Everyone will work together to ensure the best puja for their area, regardless of whether they are a daily worker, a businessman, or young or old. In fact, these committees function as mini-governments, with people volunteering for various duties. Some manage money and receive donations from community families and businesses. Some take care of decoration and food plating as well as cultural programs. Young people are primarily responsible for crowd management and technical aspects, such as lighting and sound systems. Children contribute by helping with small tasks and distributing information. Another wonderful thing about these committees is that it break the social barrier.
A wealthy businessman cooperates with a local shopkeeper, college students with a retired teacher, and housewives with a working-class person. While planning the puja, every voice is respected and reflected. Thus, meetings are conducted to discuss matters and arrive at a decision through consensus. Consequently, people develop lasting relationships that last the entire year. Neighbours who previously never exchanged a word during puja become best friends. Families that were previously strangers started visiting each other at festivals and momentous occasions. The elderly share their thoughts and ideas with younger generations, while the youth bring fresh energy and new ideas based on traditional practices. When people go pandal hopping, they interact with others from different areas and share things. They appreciate the efforts of others. As a result, the whole city feels united, and each locality not only takes pride in its own puja but is also happy with the success of others.
Fusion of Cultures
What makes the Durga Puja of Kolkata distinct from other festivals is the fusion of religious devotion with a secular celebration. The Durga Puja has evolved from being a religious function to a commemoration of Bengali identity and rich cultural heritage. People of all religions attend Durga Puja. We find Muslim artisans making beautiful idols, Christian families visiting pandals with the same enthusiasm as their Hindu counterparts, and people from differing communities volunteering in puja committees. During the festival, all religious differences are set aside. People celebrate together as Bengalis. You will find cultural programs at pandals. These programs show the rich heritage of Bengal. This is done through classical music and traditional dance. You will also find modern theatre and contemporary art exhibitions. Popular singers, dancers, and actors play pandals. It makes high-end cultural content free to all. These initiatives help conserve traditional art forms and nurture new artistic expressions. Social messages and awareness campaigns also find a space in the festival. Most pandals convey a social message that addresses an important issue related to women’s rights, environmental protection, education, health, and other relevant topics. Through this transformation, the religious celebration evolved into a social consciousness, encouraging people to think about contemporary challenges while remaining spiritually connected. The food culture associated with Durga Puja offers the best of Bengali cuisine. The pandals later on serve bhog and local delicacies. Stalls serving food in the streets serve phuchka and kathi rolls along with sweets and snacks. This, in turn, creates a food festival that is also a religious festival.
The Durga Puja generates huge economic activity, which in turn sustains the livelihood of thousands in Kolkata and West Bengal. The festival has emerged as one of the most significant annual economic events, with a yearly economic impact of several thousand crores in rupees. The artisan community is the most benefited from Durga Puja. The clay idol makers, decorators, painters and craftspeople work on it day and night for months. Kumartuli, the famous potters’ quarter, is a hive of activity with hundreds of potters’ families earning their annual income by creating beautiful Durga idols. Every generation passes down the skills required to keep traditional art forms alive for future generations. As a result, they also earn a good income. Local businesses see their most significant sales during the puja season.
Shoppers flock to clothing stores, jewellery shops, food vendors and gift shops in huge numbers. The textile sector profited particularly as people bought new clothes for each day of the festival. Sweet shops are working overtime to meet the demand for traditional Bengali sweets and for special puja items. Besides hotels, puja tourism during Durga Puja attracts people from all over India as well as abroad to Kolkata. The government has acknowledged this and is now enhancing what has been dubbed “Durga Puja Tourism” with packages and promotions. Additionally, thousands of temporary workers are employed for tasks such as pandal construction, decoration, security, sanitation, and crowd management. During these five days, it’s sound system operators, light engineers and event organisers who think it is the best and the most profitable time. But the money doesn’t stop there. Durga Puja has helped put Kolkata on the global cultural map and significantly enhanced the city’s image. This brought in investment and business opportunities in Kolkata throughout the year. The festival displays the creativity, organizational capacity and cultural wealth of the Bengali people, enhancing the region’s soft power.
Beyond Religion: Social Cultural Dimensions of Durga Puja in Kolkata.
Fashion and Food
Durga Puja in Kolkata is not just a religious festival but also a major fashion event. For five days, people wear their best clothes, with different clothes each day. Women wear gorgeous sarees in traditional red and white shades, made from handloom cotton or silk, with alluring designs. Traditional men’s wear in Bangladesh includes kurtas, dhoti-punjabis, and Bengali costumes.
The festival has also created its own fashion trends. Clothing stores sell “puja collections”, especially designed outfits for the festive season. Moreover, fashion designers make their memorable lines for the season. Young people love to combine traditional elements with modern fashions to create unique styles that express creativity without losing respect.
Food during Durga Puja is a celebration in itself. The khichuri (a rice-lentil dish), mixed vegetables, and sweet dishes (payesh and sandesh) served at pandals are “bhog”. During pujas, the street food culture is in full form with vendors selling local favourites like phuchka, kathi rolls, jhalmuri and puja specials too. Restaurants prepare distinctive festival menus, while families present elaborate home-cooked meals for visiting relatives and friends.
Music and Performance
Music fills every corner of Kolkata during Durga Puja. The sound of the festival is created by traditional dhak (big drums). Dhakis (drummers) are skilled enough to play the rhythmic and loud beats that can be heard from miles away. The ancient drums herald the goddess’s arrival and energise festive celebrations.
Puja pandals organise many cultural shows. These include Bengali concert, Rabindra Sangeet, folk dances and many others. To make high-quality entertainment available to the masses, famous artists perform for free at pandals. The dance performances range from classical ones, such as Bharatanatyam, to memorable plays put up by theatre groups.
Modern elements have also been incorporated into traditional music. Many pandals are now hosting fusion concerts featuring rock bands playing Bengali songs and DJs mixing traditional dhak beats with other genres of music. The music has substantial diversity, allowing people of all ages to enjoy it.
Social Unity
The most striking aspect of Durga Puja is how it fosters a temporary sense of equality and unity among all social classes. People set aside their class, caste, and economic status for 5 days of celebration and join the festivities with the same enthusiasm.
Wealthy and poor families attend the same pandals, queue up alongside the same people, and receive the same bhog prasad. Children from diverse backgrounds are playing together, and adults are engaging in friendly conversations among themselves, regardless of their social positions. The festival creates a feeling that everybody belongs to one big family that shares.
Women perform many tasks during puja celebrations, from managing the committee work to performing the puja with the rest of the people to cultural programs. Women can display their leadership and community capacity when they actively participate. Young people can express their creativity and take on responsibilities on platforms. This helps in developing their confidence and social skills.
People from all religions participate in it, promoting interfaith harmony. By promoting the idea that festivals are for everyone, this celebration demonstrates how cultural festivals can foster connections between communities and reinforce social bonds throughout the year.
Contemporary Challenges and Adaptations of Durga Puja in Kolkata.
Environmental Concerns
The contemporary Durga Puja faces serious environmental issues, which are being worked on by communities. Increasingly, traditional clay idols are being replaced by plaster of Paris and chemical paints that pollute rivers during immersion. This has severely degraded the water of the Ganga and other such water bodies, harming aquatic life.
Many puja committees are now adopting a greener approach. They use clay, natural vegetable dye, and biodegradable materials for idol making. Some creative committees make idols that can dissolve in water and be recycled into fertilisers for plants. Increasingly, pandal decorations are utilising recyclable materials and LED lights. Pandal designers are also making natural decorations, such as flowers and leaves, so that less plastic is used.
Urban Challenges
Kolkata’s growing population and growing traffic create significant challenges during puja season. Paraphrase this (21 words):
It is not safe, as crowds at popular pandals are massive, making the narrow streets of the city impassable with millions on the move at the same time.
It’s almost impossible to park, and there’s not enough public transport to go around.
City authorities now formulate traffic management plans, while pedestrian-only zones with additional security personnel are deployed. Timed entry systems and crowd control measures have been introduced in many pandals. To manage large crowds safely, emergency medical services and fire safety arrangements have been made foolproof.
Digital Age Adaptations
Technology has enabled people to experience Durga Puja in different ways. A social media app helps people share photos of pandals and plans to visit them, staying connected. Mobile apps now feature pandal maps, crowd density information, and live updates of cultural programs.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many pujas took to virtual celebration, live streaming, online cultural programs, and digital participation. The Bengalis have continued to adopt these digital innovations, even though the offline celebrations have been immortalised. Virtual pandal tours and augmented reality experiences are becoming the features of the occasion.
Future Relevance and Thoughts
Durga Puja is evolving and relevant for modern times and the new generation. Bangla youth, including those outside the country, maintain an emotional connection to the festival through monetary contributions as well as digital manifestations. Besides, they also take a yearly trip to Kolkata during the puja time.
The future of the festival hinges on striking a balance between tradition, sustainability, and inclusivity. Indian educational institutions are now planning to teach puja themes in their curriculum to instil values in students. Corporate sponsorships help conserve traditional art forms and fund new and green initiatives.
Durga Puja, increasingly recognised globally, has received UNESCO’s recognition as an intangible cultural heritage. The festival demonstrates how these traditions can adapt to the modern world while preserving their spirit and cultural significance.