Ahead of Durga Puja 2026 in West Bengal – Take a Look at How Islamists Vandalised Pandals Between 2017-2026

Who owns Durga Puja? Bengal's festival enters a new culture war

Bengal’s Durga Puja has long brought together devotion, artistic experimentation, food, music and community celebration. But with fresh calls to protect its religious character, the festival is now at the heart of a debate over tradition and modernity.

Ahead of Durga Puja 2026 in West Bengal – Take a look at how Islamists vandalised pandals between 2017-2026

Durga Puja remains one of the most significant religious and cultural observances in West Bengal, with Puja committees, pandals, Murti installations, devotional rituals and immersion processions forming an important part of the annual public life of the state. The festival has also acquired international cultural recognition, with Kolkata’s Durga Puja being inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity…

Between Devotion and Spectacle, What is Durga Puja Becoming in Bengal

The complexities surrounding Durga Puja in West Bengal are increasingly evident, as the festival grapples with changing perceptions and expectations. This year’s Bijoya Dashami marked the end of the celebration, leaving a bitter feeling for some participants, particularly children who enjoyed the festivities. A poignant image emerges of a young boy, clad in new attire, […]

Durga Puja 2026: Exploring history and heritage in Assam, West Bengal, Odisha, Tripura

Durga Puja 2026 showcases India’s rich cultural diversity through unique traditions across Assam, West Bengal, Odisha and Tripura. Explore the history, heritage, rituals and distinctive ways each region celebrates the five-day festival with devotion and grandeur. Discover the cultural beauty behind Durga Puja celebrations, historic practices, regional customs, traditional festivities and the vibrant spirit that makes this occasion special across…