GiseleStead at 00:24, 1 April 2026

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{{Short description|Annual event in Kolkata, India}}
{{about-distinguish|Durga Puja Carnival|Durga Puja|Durga Puja in Kolkata}}
{{AI-generated|date=March 2026|reason=since v1 from Oct 2024, note [[WP:AISIGNS]] in promotionality, vocab distro very typical of 2023-24 LLM output etc}}

{{infobox recurring event
| name = Durga Puja Carnival
| image = Durga Puja Carnival in Kolkata 2018 01.jpg
| caption =
| status = Active
| genre = Cultural Festival
| frequency = Annual
| location = [[Indira Gandhi Sarani]], [[Kolkata]], [[West Bengal]], [[India]]
| years_active = 2016–present<ref>{{cite news
| last =
| first =
| date = 16 October 2024
| title = Kolkata: 89 puja committees take part in dazzling carnival as junior doctors hold protest rally nearby
| url = https://www.deccanherald.com/india/west-bengal/kolkata-89-puja-committees-take-part-in-dazzling-carnival-as-junior-doctors-hold-protest-rally-nearby-3233857
| work = [[Deccan Herald]]
| agency = [[Press Trust of India]]
| quote = The ‘Durga Puja Carnival’ is annually held since 2016.
| access-date = 16 October 2024
}}</ref>
| participants = Durga Puja Committees, cultural performers
| attendance = Hundreds of thousands of locals and tourists
| website =
}}
The '''Durga Puja Carnival''' also known as '''Kolkata Carnival''', held annually, is an extension of the [[Durga Puja]] festivities in Kolkata, West Bengal.<ref>{{cite news
| last =
| first =
| date =
| title = Red Road Durga Puja Carnival-এ মুগ্ধ UNESCO
| url = https://www.eimuhurte.com/kolkata/unesco-impressed-by-red-road-durga-puja-carnival/
| website = eimuhurte.com
| location =
| access-date =
}}</ref> It celebrates the cultural heritage of the city, bringing together diverse communities through processions, performances, and thematic events. Initiated by the [[Government of West Bengal|West Bengal Government]], it has evolved as a large public event showcasing art, music, dance, and traditional Bengali culture.<ref>{{cite news
| last = Moumita
| first = Chaudhuri
| date = 6 October 2024
| title = The Other Durga Dynamic
| url = https://www.telegraphindia.com/life/the-other-durga-puja-dynamic-bengals-most-celebrated-public-carnival-a-great-economy-booster/cid/2053538
| work = [[The Telegraph (India)]]
| location =
| access-date = 16 October 2024
}}</ref>

== History ==
The Kolkata Carnival started in 2017 as a post-Durga Puja procession to showcase the artistic creations and cultural diversity of the city. It was an initiative of the West Bengal Government to turn Kolkata's renowned Durga Puja into a larger cultural extravaganza.{{Better source needed|reason=Current source does not mention West Bengal’s Durga Puja.|date=October 2024}}<ref>{{cite web
| url = https://thepatriot.in/culture/durga-puja-extravaganza-a-cultural-carnival-in-the-national-capital-41726
| title = Durga Puja Extravaganza: A cultural carnival in the national capital
| last = Bhardwaj
| first = Tej Prakash
| date = 23 October 2023
| website = thepatriot.in
| publisher =
| access-date = 16 October 2024
| quote =
}}</ref> The event features decorated tableaux from the city's Durga Puja pandals, accompanied by cultural performances, floats, and musical events. It symbolizes the essence of the [[Bengalis|Bengali]] community's love for art, inclusivity, and celebrations.<ref>{{cite news
| last = NANDI
| first = SOUMITRA
| date = 16 October 2024
| title = Puja Carnival mesmerises viewers with dazzling celebration of culture, tradition & artistic grandeur
| url = https://www.millenniumpost.in/bengal/puja-carnival-mesmerises-viewers-with-dazzling-celebration-of-culture-tradition-artistic-grandeur-583305
| website = millenniumpost.in
| location =
| access-date =
}}</ref><ref>{{cite news
| last =
| first =
| date = 9 October 2022
| title = Red Road hosts grand Durga Puja carnival after two years, top artworks showcased
| url = https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/kolkata/red-road-hosts-grand-durga-puja-carnival-after-two-years-top-artworks-showcased-8198187/
| work = [[The Indian Express]]
| location =
| access-date = 16 October 2024
}}</ref>

== Events and Activities ==
The Carnival is a visual spectacle, with floats from various Durga Puja committees parading through the streets. Artists, musicians, and dancers perform during the procession, depicting the cultural vibrancy of West Bengal. Some key activities include:

*Puja Tableaux Parade: Featuring top Durga Puja pandals with intricately designed idols and decorations.<ref>{{cite news
| last =
| first =
| date =
| title = In pictures: Durga Puja Carnival tableaux on Red Road portray Bengal's best
| url = https://www.telegraphindia.com/my-kolkata/durga-puja-special/durga-puja-carnival-tableaux-on-red-road-portray-the-best-that-west-bengal-has-to-offer-photogallery/cid/1975966
| work = [[The Telegraph (India)]]
| location =
| access-date = 28 October 2023
}}</ref>
*Cultural Performances: Traditional dance forms like Dhunuchi Naach (dancing with incense burners) and musical performances highlighting [[Music of Bengal|Bengali folk music]].<ref>{{cite news
| last = Nanda
| first = Subhashree
| date = 24 October 2023
| title = Dugga Elo! Tricity pandal-hoppers make the most of Pujo
| url = https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/chandigarh-news/dugga-elo-tricity-pandal-hoppers-make-the-most-of-pujo-101698090042349.html
| work = [[Hindustan Times]]
| location =
| access-date = 16 October 2024
}}</ref><ref>{{cite news
| last =
| first =
| date = 8 October 2022
| title =Durga Puja Carnival: বাজালেন ঢাক-কাঁসর, পা মেলালেন আদিবাসী নাচে, কার্নিভালে অন্য মেজাজে মমতা
| url = https://bangla.aajtak.in/kolkata/photo/durga-puja-carnival-mamata-banerjee-danced-tribal-women-sum-456342-2022-10-08
| work = [[Aaj Tak]]
| location =
| access-date = 16 October 2024
}}</ref>
*Art Installations: Showcasing Bengal's handicrafts, artisanship, and creative industries.<ref>{{cite news
| last = Nanda
| first = Subhashree
| date = 24 October 2023
| title =Durga Puja committees showcase idols, artworks at grand 'carnival' in Kolkata
| url = https://theprint.in/india/durga-puja-committees-showcase-idols-artworks-at-grand-carnival-in-kolkata/1822172/
| work = [[ThePrint]]
| agency = [[Press Trust of India|PTI]]
| location =
| access-date = 27 October 2023
}}</ref>

Each year, the Carnival grows in scale, with hundreds of thousands attending to enjoy the cultural performances and revelry.<ref>{{cite news
| last1 = Ray
| first1 = Saikat
| last2 =
| first2 =
| date =
| title = Puja Carnival to go beyond Red Road this year, over 90 clubs to join grand celebration
| url = https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/2024-puja-carnival-expands-to-include-new-venues-over-90-clubs-to-participate-in-kolkata-celebrations/articleshow/114098948.cms
| work =
| location =
| access-date =
}}</ref>

== Significance ==
The Kolkata Carnival serves as a platform to celebrate the spirit of Durga Puja, which was inscribed as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2021.<ref name="unesco">{{cite web |title= UNESCO – Durga Puja in Kolkata |url=https://ich.unesco.org/en/RL/durga-puja-in-kolkata-00703 |website=ich.unesco.org |access-date=16 October 2024 |language=en}}</ref> It extends the festivities of Durga Puja, highlighting the communal harmony, creativity, and inclusivity that the festival stands for. The event also brings in significant economic benefits, boosting local businesses, tourism, and the city's economy during the festive season.{{Citation needed|date=October 2024}}

== Government Involvement ==
The West Bengal Government has played a crucial role in organizing the event, with Chief Minister [[Mamata Banerjee]] actively promoting it as a global cultural event.<ref>{{cite news
| date = 27 October 2023
| title = CM Mamata Banerjee breaks into dance at Durga Puja carnival
| url = https://www.aninews.in/news/national/general-news/cm-mamata-banerjee-breaks-into-dance-at-durga-puja-carnival20231027202618/
| work = [[Asian News International|ANI]]
| location =
| access-date = 16 October 2024
}}</ref> Financial incentives are given to Puja committees for participation, and the event is heavily promoted as part of the state's tourism drive.<ref>{{cite news
| last = G
| first = Sarthak
| date = 16 October 2024
| title = Foreigners match steps with Kol revellers at Red Road Carnival
| url = https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/kolkatas-red-road-carnival-a-global-celebration-of-durga-puja/articleshow/114264335.cms
| work = [[The Times of India]]
| location =
| access-date = 16 October 2024
}}</ref><ref>{{cite news
| last = Das
| first = Soma
| editor-last = Bhandari
| editor-first = Tannistha bhandari
| date = 15 October 2024
| title = Puja Carnival: জার্মানি, পেরু, আয়ারল্যান্ডের অতিথিরা থাকবেন কার্নিভালে, মমতার লেখা গানেই হবে উদ্বোধন
| url = https://tv9bangla.com/kolkata/durga-puja-carnival-at-red-road-today-foreign-guests-will-be-there-89-puja-committees-will-participate-1127129.html
| work = tv9bangla
| location =
| access-date = 16 October 2024
| language = bn
}}</ref>

== See also ==
*[[Durga Puja]]
*[[UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Lists]]

== References ==
{{reflist}}

{{Culture of West Bengal}}

[[Category:Durga Puja]]
[[Category:Bengali festivals]]
[[Category:Festivals in West Bengal]]

Durga Puja Carnival - Revision history

GiseleStead at 00:24, 1 April 2026