Kolkata Durga Puja 2026 — Pandals, Belts & Guide
Kolkata‘s Durga Utsav 2026 runs 16 10-16–21 October, and by one estimate an estimated 3,000+ community (sarbojanin) pujaslight up the city every year. Durga Puja Guide tracks 504 pandals across the city‘s belts — with live crowd status, themes, timings and one-tap directions for each one.
Kolkata‘s puja belts
Each belt has its own character: heritage bonedi pujas in the North, the big theme-puja circuit in the South, dense neighbourhood pujas in Central Kolkata, the fast-growing Lake Town–Salt Lake–New Town circuit in the North-East, and the Behala–Barisha belt in the South-West. Pick one belt per evening and walk it.
- South Kolkata Durga Puja179 pandals · South Kolkata is the heart of the big-budget theme-puja circuit
- North Kolkata Durga Puja98 pandals · North Kolkata is the heritage belt of the festival
- Central Kolkata Durga Puja62 pandals · Central Kolkata's circuit runs through Sealdah, Machuabazar, Beleghata, Maniktala, Phoolbagan, Entally and Tangra
- South-West Kolkata Durga Puja61 pandals · South-West Kolkata is the Behala belt
- North-East Kolkata Durga Puja44 pandals · North-East Kolkata connects Lake Town, Salt Lake, Baguiati, Kestopur, Patipukur, Dum Dum Park and New Town
- Port Area Durga Puja14 pandals · The Port Area circuit centres on Khidderpore, with 14 neighbourhood pujas spread through the pallys of the port belt in south Kolkata.
- Full pandal directory504 pandals →
Heritage & the bonedi circuit
Bagbazar, North Kolkata, hosted one of Kolkata's earliest community pujas in 1911. Alongside the community pujas, the bonedi bari circuit keeps centuries-old family rituals alive: Sobhabazar Rajbari has hosted its puja since 1757, and the Sabarna Roy Choudhury family puja has run since 1610 (whose descendant family‘s puja is still tracked in the South-West belt). These pujas are known for traditional ekchala idols and daker saaj decoration — see the Bonedi Bari Puja guide.
Getting around
the Kolkata Metro runs extended night services through the pujas — most visitors ride the metro for the long jumps and walk within each belt. Plan with the metro guide, follow a pandal-hopping route, and check live crowd levels on any pandal page before you go.
Most-visited Kolkata pandals
- Sree Bhumi Sporting ClubLake Town, Kolkata, West BengalLow crowd · Durga Puja
- Bagbazar Sarbojanin DurgotsavBagbazar, Kolkata, West BengalLow crowd · Durga Puja
- Ekdalia Evergreen ClubGariahat, Kolkata, West BengalLow crowd · Durga Puja
- Kumartuli Park Sarbojanin DurgotsabShobhabazar, Kolkata, West BengalLow crowd · Durga Puja
- College Square Sarbojanin DurgotsabSealdah, Kolkata, West BengalLow crowd · Durga Puja
- Suruchi SanghaNew Alipur, Kolkata, West BengalLow crowd · Durga Puja
- Deshapriya ParkRasbehari Avenue, Kolkata, West BengalLow crowd · Durga Puja
- Maddox SquareHazra, Kolkata, West BengalLow crowd · Durga Puja
- Santosh Mitra SquareSealdah, Kolkata, West BengalLow crowd · Durga Puja
- Chetla Agrani Club14 Peary Mohan Roy Rd, Chetla, Kolkata 700027, West BengalLow crowd · Durga Puja
Kolkata Durga Puja — Frequently asked questions
Where are the best Durga Puja pandals in Kolkata?
The most-visited include Sreebhumi Sporting Club (Lake Town), Deshapriya Park, Suruchi Sangha and Chetla Agrani (South Kolkata), Ekdalia Evergreen Club (Gariahat) and College Square (Central Kolkata). Every belt has its own famous cluster.
Which Kolkata area is best for pandal hopping?
North Kolkata offers the heritage bonedi circuit and dense neighbourhood pujas; South Kolkata has the big theme pandals; Central Kolkata packs College Square, Santosh Mitra Square and Chaltabagan within a short walk.
Are there bonedi bari pujas in Kolkata?
Yes — family (bonedi) pujas like Sobhabazar Rajbari (since 1757) and the Sabarna Roy Choudhury family puja (since 1610) still follow traditional rituals with ekchala idols and daker saaj decoration.
How do I avoid the biggest crowds?
Visit early — Pushpanjali hours (07:00–10:00 AM) are quieter than the evening — and avoid Sreebhumi, Deshapriya Park and College Square at peak night hours. Every pandal page shows its live crowd level.