Kolkata Durga Puja is not just a festival, it is an emotion. The Durga Puja 2026 in Kolkata will showcase some of the best and most famous pandals in India.
Visitors can explore North Kolkata for heritage pujas and South Kolkata for modern theme-based pandals. Both routes are famous among locals and tourists.
| Day | Date | What usually happens |
|---|---|---|
| Mahalaya | Sat 10 Oct 2026 | Devi Paksha begins; idols are finished in studios |
| Maha Shashthi | Fri 16 Oct 2026 | Bodhon and Adhibas in the evening; many pandals open to visitors |
| Maha Saptami | Sun 18 Oct 2026 | Nabapatrika snan and main worship |
| Maha Ashtami | Mon 19 Oct 2026 | Anjali, Kumari Puja and Sandhi Puja; the busiest day |
| Maha Navami | Tue 20 Oct 2026 | Homa and final pushpanjali |
| Vijaya Dashami | Wed 21 Oct 2026 | Sindoor khela and immersion |
Panchang sources can differ by a day for Shashthi and Saptami. Always confirm the exact ritual and opening times with the organising committee.
Kolkata's Durga Puja, recognised by UNESCO on its Intangible Cultural Heritage list in 2021, spreads across thousands of neighbourhood pandals, with each neighbourhood club bringing its own approach to idols, lighting and theme.
Use the Blue Line, Green Line and Purple Line metro for long distances and rely on app cabs or autos for the final stretch.
Timing matters more than anything else for a good experience at the pandals here. Visit before 11 am for photos and quiet viewing, between 4 and 6 pm for a lighter crowd, or after 10 pm when queues sometimes shorten. Avoid arriving in the 7 to 9 pm window on Ashtami and Navami unless you are comfortable in dense crowds. Always check the committee's own social page for exact opening hours and last entry.
Places and neighbourhoods that combine well:
Roll counters, phuchka stalls and sweet shops operate late during the festival. Bring water and eat before peak hours; many stalls run out of popular items by 9 pm.
Durga Puja 2026 runs from Maha Shashthi on Friday 16 October to Vijaya Dashami on Wednesday 21 October. Ashtami falls on Monday 19 October. Check the committee's own announcement for exact opening times.
Use the Blue Line, Green Line and Purple Line metro for long distances and rely on app cabs or autos for the final stretch. Because road closures are common during Puja, plan to walk the last stretch.
Mornings and early afternoons on weekdays are usually the calmest, while evenings after 7 pm are the busiest. Ashtami night tends to be the peak.
Neighbourhood sarbojanin pujas are normally open to everyone without tickets, but arrangements vary by committee. Always check the organisers' announcement for entry rules and any security checks.
Nearby places and pandals that combine well include Central Kolkata, South Kolkata, North Kolkata, Salt Lake. Choose one cluster per evening to avoid long travel between stops.