📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / Kingshuk Mondal
Religion
West Bengal Government to Host Grand Mahalaya Celebration Ahead of Durga Puja
✍️ India.com
🗓 03 Sep 2026, 09:03 AM
👁 35
The state government led by Suvendu Adhikari announced a large‑scale Mahalaya event to mark the start of the Durga Puja festivities in West Bengal.
Kolkata, West Bengal – The administration headed by Suvendu Adhikari confirmed that a spectacular Mahalaya ceremony will be organized this year as the official kickoff to the state's Durga Puja season. The event is slated to feature traditional chants, cultural performances and a grand lighting display, aiming to draw large crowds from across the region.
Officials said the celebration will be held at a prominent venue in the capital, with security and crowd‑management plans already in place. Organisers intend to showcase the cultural heritage of Bengal while providing a platform for local artists and artisans.
The Mahalaya program, traditionally observed on the seventh day of the Hindu month of Ashwin, marks the beginning of the ten‑day Durga Puja. By hosting an elaborate public version, the state government hopes to boost tourism and reinforce communal harmony during the festive period.
The announcement has been welcomed by cultural bodies, who view the state‑backed event as an opportunity to preserve rituals and promote regional arts on a larger stage.
Officials said the celebration will be held at a prominent venue in the capital, with security and crowd‑management plans already in place. Organisers intend to showcase the cultural heritage of Bengal while providing a platform for local artists and artisans.
The Mahalaya program, traditionally observed on the seventh day of the Hindu month of Ashwin, marks the beginning of the ten‑day Durga Puja. By hosting an elaborate public version, the state government hopes to boost tourism and reinforce communal harmony during the festive period.
The announcement has been welcomed by cultural bodies, who view the state‑backed event as an opportunity to preserve rituals and promote regional arts on a larger stage.