📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / Snehabarman02
Religion
Durga Puja Origin Traced to Bengal, Not Bihar, Fact‑Check Explains Viral Claim
✍️ News18
🗓 14 Oct 2026, 03:46 AM
👁 12
A recent social media claim that Durga Puja began in Bihar has been examined, and historians confirm the festival’s roots lie in Bengal.
A claim circulating on social platforms suggested that the Hindu festival Durga Puja originated in Bihar rather than its widely recognised birthplace in Bengal. The post gained traction after being shared by several popular accounts, prompting queries from netizens about the festival's true history.
Historians and cultural scholars point out that documented evidence of Durga Puja dates back to medieval Bengal, where the tradition of elaborate idol worship and community pandals was first recorded. Literary references, temple inscriptions and colonial-era travelogues all locate the earliest large‑scale celebrations in the region that is now West Bengal and Bangladesh.
While Bihar does host its own Durga Puja festivities, especially in districts with significant Bengali communities, these are later adaptations of the Bengal tradition. The viral claim appears to stem from a misinterpretation of regional variations rather than any primary historical source.
Fact‑checking agencies have therefore concluded that the assertion of a Bihari origin lacks scholarly support. The episode underscores how quickly unverified narratives can spread online, especially around culturally significant events.
Authorities and cultural bodies continue to promote accurate historical awareness, encouraging the public to consult verified academic works when discussing heritage festivals.
Historians and cultural scholars point out that documented evidence of Durga Puja dates back to medieval Bengal, where the tradition of elaborate idol worship and community pandals was first recorded. Literary references, temple inscriptions and colonial-era travelogues all locate the earliest large‑scale celebrations in the region that is now West Bengal and Bangladesh.
While Bihar does host its own Durga Puja festivities, especially in districts with significant Bengali communities, these are later adaptations of the Bengal tradition. The viral claim appears to stem from a misinterpretation of regional variations rather than any primary historical source.
Fact‑checking agencies have therefore concluded that the assertion of a Bihari origin lacks scholarly support. The episode underscores how quickly unverified narratives can spread online, especially around culturally significant events.
Authorities and cultural bodies continue to promote accurate historical awareness, encouraging the public to consult verified academic works when discussing heritage festivals.