Durga Puja | DD News

October 19, 2026 4:35 PM

Durga Puja across West Bengal brings together devotion, artistry and community traditions

Elaborate pandals, clay idols, the rhythm of the dhaak and gatherings of families and neighbours define Durga Puja across West Bengal, where the worship of the Goddess is also a major celebration of art and cultural identity. From neighbourhood community pujas to household observances, the festival combines religious rituals with performances, shared meals and visits to decorated pavilions. Preparations begin months in advance, bringing together idol-makers, designers and organisers. At its sp...

October 19, 2026 3:13 PM

Mahashtami marked by early morning anjali at puja pandals across Bengal

People thronged Durga Puja pandals across Kolkata and the districts of West Bengal in the early hours of Monday to offer anjali on Mahashtami, in keeping the prescribed timing of the rituals this year. From community pandals in the metropolis to traditional household celebrations and heritage shrines in the districts, devotees in new festive attire arrived in the pandals as priests led the chanting of mantras and hymns in praise of Goddess Durga. The early start saw worshippers gather at sever...

October 16, 2026 3:09 PM

Bengal’s biggest festival Durga Puja starts with Mahashashthi, pandal-hopping begins

Rituals marking the formal commencement of West Bengal's biggest festival, Durga Puja, were conducted at pandals on Friday as revellers began visiting decorated marquees and prayed to the Mother Goddess on 'Mahashashthi'. 'Kalparamba' ritual was conducted to start the festivities, while 'bodhan' or invocation of the goddess will also be held, even as mothers offered prayers for their children's well-being. Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, while extending his greetings, said in a social media p...

October 15, 2026 12:49 PM

Durga Puja celebrated as ‘puja of change’, govt assisting 58,000 organisers”, says Dilip Ghosh

West Bengal minister Dilip Ghosh on Thursday stated that Durga Puja is being celebrated as a "puja of change" this year, highlighting historic arrangements and extensive government support for the state's biggest festival. Ghosh said, "This time Durga Puja is also being celebrated as a puja of change. Historic arrangements are being made. The government is assisting the puja organisers. The previous government used to provide financial assistance to only 45,000 puja organisers, but this ...

October 13, 2026 7:07 PM

Assam tea workers to get special 20 pc bonus ahead of Durga Puja: Himanta Biswa Sarma

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday announced a special bonus of 20 per cent for tea garden workers across more than 800 tea estates in the state ahead of Durga Puja, describing the initiative as a festive gift for the tea community. In a post on social media platform X, CM Sarma said the bonus would help tea workers celebrate the festival with their families and participate in the festivities during the Navratri and Durga Puja period. “On the sacred occasion of Navratri, a g...

October 10, 2026 11:40 AM

PM Modi, Amit Shah extend Mahalaya greetings, pray for happiness and prosperity

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Union Minister J.P. Nadda on Saturday extended greetings to the people on the auspicious occasion of Mahalaya, wishing happiness, peace, good health and prosperity for all. Prime Minister Modi conveyed his wishes through a post on X, expressing hope that the blessings of Maa Durga would fill society with happiness, compassion and hope. “Shubho Mahalaya! We seek the blessings of Maa Durga. May the blessings fill our socie...

September 30, 2026 2:59 PM

Kolkata Metro Rail to operate additional services ahead of Durga Puja

Kolkata Metro Railway on Tuesday said it will operate additional services on Saturdays and Sundays in the run-up to Durga Puja for the benefit of the commuters. The additional services will be available on Blue and Green Lines on October 3, 4, 10 and 11, the Metro Railway said in a statement. On Saturdays, October 3 and 10, Metro Railway will run 272 services instead of 252 on the Blue Line. Along the Green Line, Metro Railway will run 236 services (118 UP and 118 DN) instead of 212 services ...

October 3, 2025 10:59 AM

Eleven killed as tractor-trolley overturns during Durga immersion in Madhya Pradesh; PM Modi announces ex-gratia relief

Eleven people were killed and three others injured after a tractor-trolley carrying devotees overturned during a Durga idol immersion in Madhya Pradesh’s Khandwa district on Thursday. The bodies of all 11 victims have been recovered and sent for post-mortem, Khandwa Collector Rishav Gupta said Of the three injured, two are reported to be out of danger, while one remains in serious condition and is undergoing treatment. According to Gupta, the victims were part of a group from Ra...

October 1, 2025 9:31 AM

Durga Puja festivities bring Agartala alive

The spirit of Durga Puja has gripped Agartala with full fervour, turning the capital city into a hub of colour, culture, and celebration. Often considered the second city after Kolkata in hosting Durga Puja on such a grand scale, Agartala has been drawing lakhs of visitors from across the Northeast and other parts of the country. From the city centre to suburban areas, pandals with elaborate themes and giant idols have become major attractions. Many structures this year showcase themes of patri...

September 30, 2025 10:06 PM

PM Modi joins Durga Puja celebrations at Delhi’s Chittaranjan Park

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday evening participated in the Durga Puja festivities at Chittaranjan Park (CR Park), popularly known as Delhi’s “mini Bengal,” on the auspicious occasion of Maha Ashtami. The Prime Minister offered prayers at the Kali Mandir around sandhikaal - the sacred juncture between Ashtami and Navami, believed to be the moment Goddess Chamunda manifested to slay demons Chanda and Munda. He also performed sandhya aarti of Maa Durga at the pandal set up by the CR...