The Rajdanga Naba Uday Sangha in South Kolkata has built its Durga Puja 2026 pandal around the theme of ‘Shodhan’, or purification. Conceptualised by artist Debasish Barui, the installation portrays a dystopian scenario in which industrial civilisation has exhausted natural resources, compelling survivors to rely on artificial oxygen. Visitors are invited to contemplate renewal and the need to restore balance with the environment through this immersive experience.
This thematic choice continues a pattern in which Bengal’s pandals function as canvases for contemporary concerns alongside traditional devotion. The Shodhan pandal seeks to move beyond mere spectacle to foster awareness about ecological challenges facing society. Such innovations have helped sustain interest in the festival among younger generations and tourists alike.
Meanwhile in Siliguri, the Subarata Sangha has adopted an ‘Adi Shakti’ theme for its 69th Durga Puja, complete with a towering Lord Shiva figure and a model of Mount Kailash. Committee member Ashim Kumar Sengupta described the concept while discussing crowd management preparations. “this year’s theme is Adi Shakti. There is a power in the universe from the very beginning. The tradition of Shakti has been going on; it is invisible, formless, and cannot be seen, and we continue this tradition to this day…especially in Bengal, we celebrate it every year on a grand scale and consider it a festival…to handle the crowd, we have the police administration. We also hire private security. Along with them, we have our volunteers…our opening is tomorrow…” Sengupta told ANI.
The Adi Shakti narrative underscores the eternal, formless energy that Bengalis associate with the goddess, tying the festival to deeper Shakta traditions that predate modern celebrations. Organizers have arranged extensive security to accommodate expected large crowds at the site. The pandal opens just days before the main Durga Puja events commence across the state.
Durga Puja 2026 is set to take place between October 16 and October 21, marking the primary days of worship from Shashthi to Vijaya Dashami, according to festival calendars. The festival honours Goddess Durga’s victory over the buffalo demon Mahishasura and serves as a major cultural event drawing millions to pandals in Kolkata and beyond. West Bengal authorities typically coordinate with local committees to ensure smooth conduct of the festivities that also boost the local economy through tourism and artisan work.
Pandals across the region have increasingly incorporated artistic and thematic elements to address social, environmental and philosophical issues in recent editions of the festival. The ‘Shodhan’ and ‘Adi Shakti’ concepts exemplify how devotion can intersect with broader messages that resonate with contemporary audiences. Artisans in areas like Kumartuli have completed their clay idols in time for the upcoming inaugurations.
