Durga Puja Pandal Hopping

Overview

Durga Puja is Kolkata's grandest festival and a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage event. For five days each autumn, thousands of themed pandals (temporary temple structures) transform the city into an open-air art installation.

Highlights

• Themed pandals: Each neighbourhood committee competes with spectacular designs — past themes have included replicas of St. Peter's Basilica, the Taj Mahal, and futuristic sci-fi worlds.
• Bisarjan procession: The final-day immersion procession of Durga idols into the Hooghly is one of India's most emotional spectacles.
• Street food: Dedicated food courts and pop-up stalls appear across the city.

History

Durga Puja has been celebrated in Bengal since at least the 16th century, but it became a grand public festival in the 18th century under the patronage of Calcutta's wealthy families. It received UNESCO recognition in 2021.

Visitor Tips

• Tip 1: Visit during the 5 key days (Shashthi to Dashami, usually in October). Check the Bengali calendar for exact dates.
• Tip 2: Use the Metro and walk between pandals; traffic grinds to a halt.
• Duration: 4+ hours (a single evening of pandal hopping).