Durga Puja Kolkata: Dates, Pandals & Travel Tips

Quick answer

Durga Puja in Kolkata runs for five days, from Shashthi to Vijayadashami, usually in late September or October. Around 3,000 community pandals, many with elaborate themes, fill the city, and crowds peak on Saptami, Ashtami and Navami nights. Go pandal-hopping late morning or after midnight, use the Metro, and book hotels by August.

Highlights

Themed pandals built as art installations across the city
Traditional pujas at Bagbazar, Kumartuli Park and old family homes
Dhunuchi dancing with incense burners to the beat of the dhak
Sindoor khela and immersion processions on Dashami
Kumartuli's idol-makers in the weeks before

What actually happens

Durga Puja celebrates the goddess Durga's homecoming, and in Kolkata it is the year's biggest event. Community clubs spend months building pandals, from traditional shrines to full-scale art installations, and idols are made by the potters of Kumartuli. UNESCO added Durga Puja in Kolkata to its intangible cultural heritage list in 2021. Evenings bring dhunuchi dances, bhog (prasad lunches of khichuri and labra), new clothes and food stalls. On Dashami, married women smear each other with sindoor before the idols leave for immersion. The state also holds a Puja carnival on Red Road soon after.

The best days to go

Mahalaya, about a week before, marks the start of the countdown. Panchami and Shashthi are quieter for seeing big-name pandals. Saptami, Ashtami and Navami are the peak, with the whole city out until dawn. Dashami is best for sindoor khela and processions. Visit Kumartuli one to three weeks before to watch the idols being finished.

Where to stay and how early to book

Book by August. Mid-range hotels cost ₹4,500–9,000 a night in Puja week. Central Kolkata (Park Street, Esplanade) works for both north and south pandals; Ballygunge and Gariahat suit the south Kolkata circuit, while Salt Lake and New Town are convenient for the airport but far from most pandals.

Crowds and getting around

Big pandals draw lakhs of visitors a night, with queues of one to two hours. Many roads close to cars, so plan on walking and taking the Metro, which runs extended hours. The calmest windows are 11 am to 4 pm and the early hours after 2 am. Keep phones and wallets in front pockets, and agree a meeting point with family.

Photography and what to wear

Photography is allowed at most pandals, but keep moving in the queue and skip flash near the idols. Drones need police permission. Kolkata is 32°C and humid with occasional showers, so wear light cotton and comfortable walking shoes. Many people dress up in traditional clothes on Ashtami.

Combining it with Bengal and the hills

October is a good time for the hills as the monsoon clears. Add Darjeeling and Sikkim, or the Sundarbans. See our October ideas, the full festival calendar and tour packages.

Frequently asked questions

When does Durga Puja take place?

Durga Puja runs from Shashthi to Vijayadashami in the Bengali month of Ashwin, which usually falls in late September or October. Exact dates follow the Bengali almanac, and the West Bengal government publishes its holiday list early in the year, so you can plan months ahead.

Which pandals should I see in Kolkata?

For traditional pujas, visit Bagbazar Sarbojanin, Kumartuli Park and the old family pujas of Shobhabazar Rajbari in the north. For themed installations, the south Kolkata clubs around Ekdalia, Ballygunge, Deshapriya Park and Behala are known for ambitious designs. Mix both styles across two evenings.

How do I get around Kolkata during Durga Puja?

Use the Metro and walk. Many roads near major pandals close to private cars, taxis are hard to find in the evenings, and app cabs surge. The Metro usually runs extended hours during the Puja. Group nearby pandals together, and plan one zone per evening.

Is Durga Puja good for families with children?

Yes, if you avoid peak-night crowds. Go in the late morning or early afternoon, choose a few nearby pandals, carry water and snacks, and write your phone number on a card in each child's pocket. Saptami to Navami nights are crowded until dawn.

How we checked this page

Last reviewed 28 October 2026

Written and fact-checked by the Elitech Travels editorial desk in New Delhi, drawing on our consultants' day-to-day booking work and the official sources below. Rules, fares and fees change — always confirm anything critical with the issuing authority before you travel. Our editorial policy.