1. Yuba Sangha Durga Puja, Nager Bazaar
Originally created by artist Bhabatosh Sutar, Yuba Sangha’s 2026 pandal uses a pristine natural pond as its canvas to highlight disappearing urban ecosystems. A 35-foot-wide entrance, designed to look like a giant Liebherr refrigerator, allows visitors into the installation. Hydrophones placed in the pond amplify underwater sounds, while projection mapping and shadow performances add to the experience.
Location: Nager Bazaar, near Telipukur, Dum Dum, North Kolkata
2. Ballygunge Cultural Association, Ballygunge
Ballygunge Cultural Association’s 2026 pandal explores the idea of Jojon: Joining through a structure made using post-consumer waste, including chip packets and upcycled flex posters. The installation draws focus to plastic waste management and the possibilities of reusing discarded materials. Tourists can also explore a Coca-Cola refreshment and recycling zone near the exit, which includes reverse-vending kiosks that reward people for depositing plastic waste.
Location: 57B, Lake View Road, Ballygunge, South Kolkata
3. Tala Prattoy, Belgachia
Tala Prattoy presents Durga Puja as an emerging art form through its 2026 theme, which treats the pandal as a large-scale architectural installation. The design uses raw, sustainable materials, architectural framing and carefully placed shadows to shape the journey towards the central sanctum. Its focus on space, light and changing perspectives creates a museum-like experience for visitors.
Location: Tala Park, Belgachia, North Kolkata
Also Read: 10 Iconic Kolkata Food Spots To Hit During Durga Puja When Pandal Hopping Makes You Hungry
4. Santosh Mitra Square, Lebutala, Bowbazar
Santosh Mitra Square’s 2026 theme, Vande Mataram, revisits major moments in India’s freedom struggle. The pandal depicts events including the hanging of revolutionary Khudiram Bose and the Partition of 1947. A giant map of Bharat forms part of the exterior, making the installation a tribute to the country’s history.
Location: Lebutala Park, Bowbazar, Central Kolkata
5. Suruchi Sangha, New Alipore
Suruchi Sangha’s 2026 theme, Padma, draws inspiration from the lotus and its association with life and renewal. The installation features kinetic floral sculptures, while lighting and misting arrangements along the visitor queues create a multisensory experience inspired by the flower’s natural habitat.
Location: New Alipore, South Kolkata
6. Tridhara Sammilani, Kalighat
Tridhara Sammilani’s 2026 theme, Surasur, explores the eternal battle between good and evil through mythological clashes such as Ram versus Ravana, Krishna versus Kansa, and Maa Durga versus the asuras. Artwork, lighting and sculptural installations bring these stories to life, conveying the message that righteousness ultimately triumphs. Another attraction is a 5.5-foot Durga sculpture created by artist Chandra Nath Saha (Tilak) using approximately 13,000 Pentonic pens and 13,000 refills made from recycled plastic. The artwork stands alongside the main pratima and will be dismantled separately after the festival, with the materials recycled into new pens.
Location: Kalighat, South Kolkata
7. College Square, Central Kolkata
College Square’s 2026 pandal takes inspiration from Jaipur’s Albert Hall Museum, known for its striking architecture and illuminated façade. The installation brings a touch of Rajasthan to Kolkata with palace-inspired detailing, elaborate interiors, grand chandeliers and dazzling lighting after dark. Its architectural grandeur and night-time illumination make it a notable stop for visitors exploring the city’s popular pandals.
Location: College Square, opposite the University of Calcutta campus
Also Read: 10 Iconic Kolkata Food Spots To Hit During Durga Puja When Pandal Hopping Makes You Hungry
8. Santosh Mitra Square, Bowbazar
Santosh Mitra Square’s 2026 presentation continues its tradition of ambitious installations, combining historical storytelling with large-scale visual elements. The pandal features a giant map of Bharat and depictions of significant events from India’s freedom movement. Its artwork and lighting bring the historical narrative to life for visitors interested in the intersection of history and festive design.
Location: Lebutala Park, Bowbazar, Central Kolkata
FAQs
Why is Kolkata famous for Durga Puja?
Kolkata is famous for Durga Puja because it has transformed the religious celebration into a massive, city-wide festival of public art, community creativity, and global heritage.
What is the schedule for Bengali Durga Puja in 2026?
The Bengali Durga Puja in 2026 runs from October 16 to October 21, 2026, with Mahalaya preceding the festival on October 10, 2026.
Who first started Durga Puja in Kolkata?
The first recorded Durga Puja in the area of Kolkata was started in 1610 by Lakshmikanta Majumdar (Gangopadhyay) of the Sabarna Roy Choudhury Family at their ancestral home in Barisha (South Kolkata).