Durga Puja in Kolkata for first-timers, 2026
Durga Puja in Kolkata runs from Mahalaya (10 October) to Bijoya Dashami (21 October) this year, with the biggest days from Saptami to Navami (Saptami falls on 17 or 18 October, depending on the almanac a puja follows; Navami is 20 October). People walk from pandal to pandal, mostly in the evening; the Metro runs through the night on the Blue and Green lines from 17 to 20 October. UNESCO listed the festival as Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2021.
The famous pujas · Metro Guide · Helplines
What the festival is
'Durga Puja in Kolkata' was inscribed on UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in December 2021.
OfficialUNESCO
In UNESCO's words, clay images of the goddess are sculpted in small workshops from Ganga clay; worship begins on Mahalaya, when the eyes are painted on the images, and ends with the immersion of the images in the river.
OfficialUNESCO
The days
Government holidays: Mahalaya Sat 10 Oct; Panchami Fri 16; Shashthi Sat 17; Saptami Sun 18; Ashtami Mon 19; Navami Tue 20; Dashami Wed 21; extra holidays 22 to 24 Oct; Lakshmi Puja Sun 25 Oct.
The two systems Bengal's almanacs follow differ by a day this year at the start: pujas that follow Gupta Press hold Saptami on Saturday 17 October, those that follow Bisuddha Siddhanta (and Belur Math) on Sunday 18. Both agree on Ashtami, Monday 19 October.
Press reportAnandabazar, both panjikas
Belur Math, the Ramakrishna Mission headquarters across the river, holds Kumari Puja at 9 am on Ashtami (19 Oct) and livestreams its puja on its YouTube channel.
OfficialBelur Math programme
At the pandals
Kolkata Police expect the biggest crowds from 5 pm to 9 pm, especially around Sealdah station and along Rash Behari Avenue. Big pandals have separate entry and exit routes; follow them.
Press reportThe Times of India
Liquor sales are banned across West Bengal on Maha Ashtami, and DJs are banned through the festival.
Press reportThe Indian Express
If you go to Belur Math for the Ashtami anjali (flower offering), bring your own flowers and bel leaves.
OfficialBelur Math programme
No official 2026 rules on footwear, photography or dress at pandals were found. Follow what the volunteers at each pandal ask.
Not announced
Getting around
The Metro runs Puja timetables on all lines from 15 to 21 October. From 17 to 20 October the Blue Line runs from 1 pm to about 4 am and the Green Line from 1.30 pm to about 4 am. The Orange Line has no trains from 17 to 21 October.
Press reportNews18 (Metro Railway's notice)
West Bengal Transport Corporation runs Puja Parikrama tours by bus, AC bus, tram and boat, booked on wbtconline.in (booking line +91 869 773 3745).
OfficialWBTC
Money and weather
Banks in Kolkata are closed on 10 October and on 19, 20 and 21 October; 17 and 18 October are a weekend.
Press reportLivemint (RBI calendar)
UPI works, but carry some cash: some Kolkata restaurants have said they may discourage UPI payments.
Press reportThe Times of India
October in Kolkata is warm and can be wet: the normal mean temperature at Alipore is 28.3 °C, with 177 mm of rain in the month.
If you need help
West Bengal's 112 emergency service went live on 10 October 2026. Every other Puja helpline is on our helplines page.
Press reportMillennium Post
Questions people ask
When is Durga Puja in Kolkata in 2026?
Durga Puja in Kolkata runs from Mahalaya (10 October) to Bijoya Dashami (21 October) this year, with the biggest days from Saptami to Navami (Saptami falls on 17 or 18 October, depending on the almanac a puja follows; Navami is 20 October). People walk from pandal to pandal, mostly in the evening; the Metro runs through the night on the Blue and Green lines from 17 to 20 October. UNESCO listed the festival as Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2021.
What is the best time of day to see the pandals?
No official body names a best time. Kolkata Police expect the heaviest crowds from 5 pm to 9 pm, so earlier in the afternoon, or late at night when the Metro runs overnight (17 to 20 October), is quieter.
Do I need a pass to see the pandals?
No. Pandals are free and open to everyone. Some committees, such as Deshapriya Park, have publicly said they sell no passes.
Read from each source on 12 October 2026. Back to the Puja Guide
Durga Puja in Kolkata · UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, 2021
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