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{{Short description|Hindu festival}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2023}}
{{Use Indian English|date=January 2023}}
{{Infobox intangible heritage
| Image = বাগবাজার সার্বজনীন দুর্গোৎসব ২০১৮.jpg
| Caption = Durga Puja being celebrated in [[Bagbazar]], [[Kolkata]]
| ICH = Durga Puja in Kolkata
| State Party = India
| ID = 00703
| Region = APA
| Year = 2021
| Session = 16th
| Below = [[File:Unesco Cultural Heritage logo.svg|100px]]
| Note = '''Certificate''' : [https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRfgkKW1unvT68OavZeDRzmImm966MSu6NDeA&usqp=CAU direct link]
| List = Representative
}}

'''Durga Puja in Kolkata''' ({{langx|bn|কলকাতার দুর্গাপূজা}}; {{langx|hi|कोलकाता की दुर्गा पूजा}}) is an annual [[Bengalis|Bengali]] festival celebrated magnificently marking the worship of the [[Hindu]] [[mother goddess]] [[Durga]].<ref>{{cite web |title=The Goddess Durga: The Mother of the Hindu Universe |url=https://www.learnreligions.com/goddess-durga-1770363 |website=www.learnreligions.com |publisher=Learn Religions |access-date=9 October 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Devi |url=https://www.worldhistory.org/Devi/ |website=www.worldhistory.org |publisher=World History |access-date=9 October 2022}}</ref> This festival is the biggest festival in [[Kolkata]], the capital of the [[Indian state]] of [[West Bengal]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Kolkata's biggest religious festival Durga Puja reframed as international art experience |url=https://theworld.org/media/2022-09-29/kolkata-s-biggest-religious-festival-durga-puja-reframed-international-art |access-date=2022-12-16 |website=The World from PRX |language=en}}</ref><ref name="hindustantimes">{{cite news |title=Durga Puja 2022: City of Joy Kolkata gears up for biggest festival |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/photos/news/durga-puja-2022-city-of-joy-kolkata-gears-up-for-biggest-festival-101662375005823-1.html |access-date=9 October 2022 |agency=Hindustan Times |publisher=www.hindustantimes.com |date=5 September 2022 |location=Kolkata |language=en}}</ref>

There were about 3,000 [[Barowari]] [[Puja (Hinduism)|pujas]] in [[Kolkata]] in 2022. More than 200 pujas were organized in the city with a budget of over one crore [[Indian rupee|rupees]].<ref name="thehindu">{{cite news |author1=Shiv Sahay Singh |title=I-T notices to Durga Pujas even as festival seeks UNESCO status |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/kolkata/i-t-notices-to-durga-pujas-even-as-festival-seeks-unesco-status/article25980616.ece |access-date=9 October 2022 |agency=The Hindu |publisher=www.thehindu.com |location=Kolkata |language=en}}</ref>

Durga Puja in Kolkata has been inscribed on the list of [[UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Lists]] in December 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=9 October 2022 |language=en}}</ref>

== History ==
===Beginning===
[[File:William Prinsep, Europeans being entertained by dancers and musicians in a splendid Indian house in Calcutta during Durga puja (1830s–1840s).jpg|250px|thumb|left|Durga Puja festivities by 19th-century Kolkata dancers and musicians]]
Since 1610, the [[Sabarna Roy Choudhury|Sabarna Roy Choudhury family]] has been organizing [[Durga Puja]] at their original residence in Barisha, [[Kolkata]].<ref name="eisamay"/> This is probably the oldest Durga Puja festival in Kolkata. Nabakrishna Dev started Durga Puja at [[Shobhabazar Rajbari]] in 1757.<ref>''Bangiya Sabarna Katha Kalishetra Kalikatah'' by Bhabani Roy Choudhury, ([[Bengali language|Bengali]]), Manna Publication. {{ISBN|81-87648-36-8}}</ref><ref>[http://www.devarshi.faithweb.com Sabarna Prithivi - website of the Sabarna Roy Choudhury family]</ref>
[[File:Durga idol as Migrant mother DSCN7247 1.jpg|thumb|Durga idol in a theme puja pandal in Barisha, Kolkata]]
[[Barowari]] Durga Puja began in Kolkata in the early part of the twentieth century. Barwari Durga Puja quickly became a common people's festival in Kolkata. Earlier, Durga Puja in Kolkata was confined to wealthy families. In 1910, the first Barowari Durga Puja in Kolkata was organized by "Bhowanipore Sanatan Dharmatsahini Sabha" at Balram Basu Ghat Road, [[Bhowanipore]].<ref name="eisamay">{{cite news |title=বাড়ি থেকে বারোয়ারি সফর |url=https://eisamay.com/special-coverage/durga-puja-2015/exclusives-news/the-transition-from-bonedi-pujo-to-baroari-pujo/articleshow/49288324.cms |access-date=9 October 2022 |agency=Eisamay |publisher=www.eisamay.com |date=19 October 2015 |location=Kolkata |language=bn}}</ref>

Since 1985, the [[Asian Paints]] Authority has introduced the practice of awarding the Durga Puja Committees of Kolkata. This award is called the [[Asian Paints Sharad Shamman]]. Later many other commercial organizations introduced "Sharad Samman" or Durga Puja awards for Durga Puja in Kolkata.<ref>{{cite web |title=About Asian Paints Sharad Shamman |url=http://classified.rediff.com/search/detail/Khidderpore_/2202106_2194515?srch_key=kolkata&srch_loc=india&srch_area=&camp_crid=2197101&srch_campowner=&srch_city=Kolkata&srch_state=West%20Bengal&srch_country=India |access-date=9 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081010155248/http://classified.rediff.com/search/detail/Khidderpore_/2202106_2194515?srch_key=kolkata&srch_loc=india&srch_area=&camp_crid=2197101&srch_campowner=&srch_city=Kolkata&srch_state=West%20Bengal&srch_country=India|archive-date=10 October 2008}}</ref><ref>[http://www.india-seminar.com/2006/559/559%20anjan%20ghosh.htm Commercialization of Durga Puja awards]</ref><ref>[http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/catalyst/2002/10/17/stories/2002101700100300.htm Success for Asian Paints after the Sharad Shamman]</ref>

The [[Government of West Bengal]] introduced ''Biswa Bangla Sharad Samman'' in 2013.<ref name="telegraphindia1"/>

===Expansion===
Reports in the ''Yugantar'' and ''[[Anandabazar Patrika]]'' provide a rough estimate of ''Sarbojanin'' (public) puja expenditure since the 1950s. In 1957, each community spent an average of ₹8,000 to ₹12,000 rupees at that time, the combined cost of the pujas was about ₹25 lakhs were; in 1984, that total increased to approximately ₹2 crores.<ref name="ING">{{cite book |first=Tapati |last= Guha-Thakurta |title=In the Name of the Goddess |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=oi0jswEACAAJ&q=In+the+Name+of+the+Goddess+Tapati+Guha-Thakurta|date=2015 |publisher=Primus Books |location=Delhi |isbn=978-93-84082-46-8 |page=32 |edition=First |access-date=11 October 2022}}</ref>

A ''Times of India'' report of 2012 provided a statistic on the expenditure on Durga puja in Kolkata during that season. According to the report, a total of ₹123.05 crores was spent on 3,577 pujas in [[Kolkata]].<ref name="timesofindia1">{{cite news |author1=Subhro Niyogi |title=At Rs 123cr, puja spend touches new high this year |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/at-rs-123cr-puja-spend-touches-new-high-this-year/articleshow/16975776.cms |access-date=11 October 2022 |agency=Times of India |publisher=timesofindia.indiatimes.com |date=27 October 2022 |location=Kolkata |language=en}}</ref>

===Durga puja carnival===
{{main|Durga Puja Carnival}}
[[Durga Puja Carnival]] started in [[Kolkata]] in 2016.<ref name="indianexpress2">{{cite news |title=Durga Puja 2016: Kolkata ends the mega bonanza with carnival road-show |url=https://indianexpress.com/photos/lifestyle-gallery/durga-puja-2016-kolkata-post-pujo-carnival-road-show-red-road-tableaux-3083113/ |access-date=11 October 2022 |agency=The Indian Express |publisher=www.indianexpress.com |date=15 October 2016 |location=Kolkata |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=রাজ্য অভিনবত্বে-চমকে ঠাসা মুখ্যমন্ত্রীর পুজো শেষে ঠাকুর দেখা |url=https://www.sangbadpratidin.in/bengal/durga-puja-carnival-in-red-road/ |access-date=11 October 2022 |agency=Sangbad Pratidin |publisher=www.sangbadpratidin.in |date=14 October 2016}}</ref> The carnival was not organized in 2020 and 2021 due to [[COVID-19 pandemic|COVID-19]] pandemic.<ref name="indianexpress1">{{cite news |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/ |access-date=11 October 2022 |agency=The Indian Express |publisher=www.indianexpress.com |date=9 October 2022 |language=en}}</ref> It was again organized from 2022.<ref name="telegraphindia1">{{cite news |author1=Kinsuk Basu |title=99 pujas to join Red Road carnival on October 8 |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/my-kolkata/news/99-pujas-to-join-red-road-carnival/cid/1890165 |access-date=11 October 2022 |agency=The Telegraph India |publisher=www.telegraphindia.com |date=4 October 2022 |location=Kolkata |language=en}}</ref><ref name="indianexpress1"/>

===Recognition of UNESCO ===
In 2019, [[Tapati Guha-Thakurta]] was entrusted with the task of preparing a dossier by the [[Ministry of Culture (India)|Indian Ministry of Culture]]. The dossier was submitted to [[UNESCO]] for the inclusion of [[Durga Puja]] in the [[UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity]]. Representatives from various countries around the world evaluated the dossier at the 16th session, which began in [[Paris]] on 13 December 2021. "Durga Puja in Kolkata" got the Intangible Cultural Heritage status on 15 December 2021.<ref name="thehindu"/><ref name="thehindu1"/>

==Puja: The Festival==
[[File:Dignitaries of Kolkata enjoying dance performance at Red road carnival IMG 0695 1.jpg|250px|thumb|right|Dignitaries of Kolkata enjoying dance performance at Red road carnival]]
[[Durga Puja]] is mainly celebrated for 5 days - [[Shashthi (day)|Shashti]], [[Saptami]], [[Ashtami]], [[Navami]] and [[Vijayadashami|Vijaya Dashami]]. But the festive mood around Durga Puja in Kolkata starts before [[Shashthi (day)|Shashti]], mainly from [[Mahalaya (Matripaksha)|Mahalaya]]. Durga Puja [[pandal]]s are opened to the public from the day of [[Mahalaya]]. The main attractions of Durga Puja in Kolkata are the decorations, sculptures, [[Pandal|pandals]],<ref>{{cite news |title=Durga Puja 2022: Kolkata turns pandal hoppers' paradise post pandemic |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/galleries/nation/2022/oct/04/durga-puja-2022-kolkata-turns-pandal-hoppersparadise-post-pandemic-103363.html |access-date=11 October 2022 |agency=New indian Express |publisher=www.newindianexpress.com |date=4 October 2022 |language=en}}</ref> lights and illuminations, and carnival.<ref name="indianexpress1"/>

== Evolution of The Puja ==
In the 17th century, from Pujas being organised by the ''[[zamindars]]'' in their ''rajbaris'', today the festival has become an emblem of joy and unbounded enjoyment. Always considered as a symbol of homecoming, centered around the deity herself, in the present day the Puja has become synonymous with extravagant pandals, pandal hopping, incorporation of various themes and also witnessing a huge array of lights. It has become a way of seeing and situating ourselves in the world.<ref>{{cite news |title=How our consumption of Durga Puja has changed over the years |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/express-sunday-eye/consumption-of-durga-puja-changed-over-years-pandals-8183314/}}</ref>

Even till the 20th century also Kolkata's Durga Puja was primarily a religious and familial event, where different communities came together to worship her and partake in the age-old traditions associated with the festival. While the emotions, essence of devotion and community spirit still thrives, Durga Puja has undergone remarkable changes in terms of scale, style and cultural significance.<ref>{{cite news |title=''The Evolution of Durga Pujo: From Tradition to Trend in Kolkata'' |url=https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/evolution-durga-pujo-from-tradition-trend-kolkata-madhuparna-dey-wciee}}</ref>

The most remarkable changes in the recent times include the exponential proliferation in the number of pujas across the city, an emphasis on creative art and a overwhelming crowd of people visiting the pandals every year. The city has witnessed a surge in the number of theme-based pujas over the years. The themes range from various artistic ideas, cultural traditions, famous monuments around the world and even biographies of famous persons.<ref>{{cite news |title=Durga Puja 2023 |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/web-stories/durga-puja-2023-best-pandals-and-their-themes/slideshow/104152614.cms}}</ref>

While the centuries-old ''rajbari pujas'' with their ''Sabeki Protima'' and traditions are still popular, theme based pujas have risen in the present scenario and have become extremely popular, recording huge number of footfalls every year. Due to ginormous number of people visiting pandals every year and overcrowding on the main five days, pandals are inaugurated from [[Mahalaya]], much before Shashti. The magnification in the cost of expenditure has also lead the budget to be shifted from only ''chandas'' to advertisements and certain extent of government funding. Despite this changes, people have whole heartedly welcomed the new pinch to their age-old tradition and this festival has also turned out to be a melting pot of people from different religions, who enjoy the festivities.<ref>{{cite news |title=From Barir Pujo To Modern Pandals, This Is How West Bengal’s Durga Puja Has Changed Over Years |url=https://curlytales.com/from-barir-pujo-to-modern-pandals-this-is-how-west-bengals-durga-puja-has-changed-over-years/}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Explore Durga Puja pandals in Kolkata that have transitioned from traditional to high-tech art installations |url=https://www.thehindu.com/life-and-style/explore-durga-puja-pandals-in-kolkata-that-have-transitioned-from-traditional-to-high-tech-art-installations/article67402690.ece}}</ref>

==Government Assistance==
In 2018, [[Chief Minister of West Bengal|CM]] [[Mamata Banerjee]] announced that every year {{INR|10000}} ({{USD|137.91}}) will be given to 3000 puja committees in Kolkata and 25000 puja committees in the districts all over Bengal. The decision was opposed by the opposition parties. In response to a petition filed, the [[Calcutta High Court]] refused to interfere with the decision.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Chatterjee |first1=Debjani |title=Give Puja Grant But Explain Why, Supreme Court Tells Bengal Government |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/supreme-court-refuses-to-stop-bengal-government-grant-to-durga-puja-organisers-seeks-its-response-to-1930919 |access-date=19 September 2024 |work=[[NDTV]] |date=12 October 2018 |language=en |quote=West Bengal government can give ₹ 10,000 to Durga Puja organizers in the state, said the Supreme Court}}</ref> Later, the [[Supreme Court of India]] refused to put a stay order on the incentives but asked the government to keep a record of the grants given.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Mathur |first1=Aneesha |title=SC refuses to stay WB govt's order to grant Rs 10,000 to Durga puja committees |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/sc-refuses-to-stay-wb-govt-s-order-to-grant-rs-10-000-to-durga-puja-committees-1367123-2018-10-13 |access-date=19 September 2024 |work=[[India Today]] |date=13 October 2018 |location=New Delhi |language=en}}</ref>

In 2019, the amount was increased to {{INR|25000}} for each puja committee.<ref>{{cite news |title=WB govt to give Rs 25,000 to every community Durga Puja |url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/wb-govt-to-give-rs-25-000-to-every-community-durga-puja-119083001608_1.html |access-date=19 September 2024 |work=Business Standard |date=30 August 2019 |location=Kolkata |language=en}}</ref> Over the years, the amount has been increased to {{INR|50000}} in 2020 and {{INR|60000-70000}} in 2022.<ref>{{cite news |title=Grant to Durga Puja committees in Bengal increased to ₹70,000: Mamata Banerjee |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/kolkata-news/grant-to-durga-puja-committees-in-bengal-increased-to-rs-70-000-mamata-banerjee-101692719064817.html |access-date=19 September 2024 |work=[[Hindustan Times]] |date=22 August 2023 |language=en|quote=The West Bengal government started with a ₹10,000 assistance to 28,000 puja committees in 2018, which was increased to ₹25,000 per committee in 2019. In 2020, the grant was doubled to ₹50,000 and increased by ₹10,000 in 2022 to ₹60,000.}}</ref> In 2022, the total amount granted to all the pujas in that year alone stood at {{INR|258}} crore.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Sankar Chattopadhyay |first1=Suhrid |title=Mamata Banerjee announces Rs.258 crore grant to clubs for Durga Puja celebrations |url=https://frontline.thehindu.com/news/mamata-banerjee-announces-a-grant-of-rs-258-crore-to-clubs-to-celebrate-durga-puja/article65801180.ece |access-date=19 September 2024 |work=Frontline Magazine |date=23 August 2022 |language=en}}</ref> In 2024, the government increased the amount to {{INR|85000}} for each puja committee.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Roy |first1=Suryagni |title=Mamata Banerjee hikes allowance for Durga Puja committees to Rs 85,000 each |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/west-bengal-cm-mamata-banerjee-durga-puja-committees-allowances-hike-bjp-tmc-2571417-2024-07-24 |access-date=19 September 2024 |work=[[India Today]] |date=24 July 2024 |location=Kolkata |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=চক্রবর্তী |first1=দেবদীপ |title=ক্লাবের পুজোর অনুদান ৮৫ হাজার, আগামী বছর ১ লাখ, ঘোষণা মমতার |url=https://eisamay.com/west-bengal-news/kolkata-news/cm-mamata-banerjee-announced-85-thousand-financial-help-to-all-committee-of-durga-puja-2024/articleshow/111961620.cms |access-date=19 September 2024 |work=[[Ei Samay]] |date=23 July 2024 |language=bn}}</ref> The total amount was more than {{INR|365}} crore for all the puja committees.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Bhattacharya |first1=Sayanta |title=Durga Puja 2024: এই বছরের দুর্গাপুজোয় রাজ্য সরকারের আনুমানিক কত খরচ হচ্ছে জানেন? |url=https://tv9bangla.com/kolkata/do-you-know-how-much-the-state-government-is-spending-on-durga-puja-on-2024-1098763.html |access-date=19 September 2024 |work=TV9 Bangla |date=23 July 2024 |location=Kolkata |language=bn}}</ref> The costs would include a 75% concession in the electricity bill for the committees.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Mitra |first1=Atri |title=Bengal government to spend more than Rs 350 crores as it hikes allowance to Durga Puja committees from Rs 70,000 to Rs 85,000 each. |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/kolkata/west-bengal-govt-raises-allowance-durga-puja-committees-9471475/ |access-date=19 September 2024 |work=[[The Indian Express]] |date=25 July 2024 |location=Kolkata |language=en}}</ref> In 2025, the Government of West Bengal increased the assistance to ₹1,10,000 (US$1252.42) for each puja committee.

==Economy==
A study - Mapping the Creative Economy around the Durga Puja - has been commissioned by the [[British Council, India|British Council]] on behalf of the [[Department of Tourism (West Bengal)|Department of Tourism]], [[Government of West Bengal]]. In 2021, the British Council in India mapped the creative economy of Durga Puja at ₹32,000 crores for the year 2019 and added that the festival contributed 2.58% of the [[Economy of West Bengal|GDP of West Bengal]] in financial year 2019–2020.<ref name="thehindu1">{{cite news |author1=Shiv Sahay Singh |title=Durga Puja in Kolkata is now UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/kolkata/durga-puja-in-kolkata-is-now-unesco-intangible-cultural-heritage/article37964078.ece |access-date=9 October 2022 |agency=The Hindu |publisher=www.thehindu.com |date=15 December 2021 |location=Kolkata |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Mapping the Creative Economy around the Durga Puja |url=https://www.britishcouncil.in/programmes/arts/Mapping-Creative-Economy-around-DurgaPuja |website=www.britishcouncil.in |access-date=9 October 2022}}</ref> "Durga Puja in Kolkata" contributes to a large part of this creative economy.<ref name="thehindu1"/>

The economy of Durga Puja in Kolkata is divided into various sectors. Major among the various economic sectors are installation, art and decoration, Idol making, lighting and illumination, literature and publishing, sponsorship, advertising, retail, crafts and design (Puja Utensils), film and entertainment, and food and beverage.<ref name="thehindu1"/> In 2019, Kolkata accounts for 15% share of pandal-making (installation, art and decoration) industry of West Bengal, worth ₹129 crores.<ref name="thehindu1"/> Both the idol making industry and the lighting and lighting industry contributed ₹120 crores to Durga puja in Kolkata.<ref name="thehindu1"/> In 2022, the collective economy of Durga Puja was around {{INR|40000}} crore and it created employment opportunities for three lakh people.<ref>{{cite web |title=Durga Puja 2025 Preview: Kolkata’s Top Pandals, Budgets, and What to Expect |url=https://events247.in/durga-puja-2025/ |website=Events 24/7 |date=2 May 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=₹40,000 crore Durga Puja in West Bengal creates 3 lakh jobs, says Stakeholders |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/40000-crore-durga-puja-in-west-bengal-creates-3-lakh-jobs-says-stakeholders/article65965626.ece |access-date=19 September 2024 |work=[[The Hindu]] |date=3 October 2022 |location=Kolkata |language=en |quote=With more than 40,000 community pujas across the state, the festival creates a scurry of economic activities for three-four months every year}}</ref> By 2024, the economy stood around {{INR|50000}} crores.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Mukherjee |first1=Writankar |title=Dark clouds over Bengal's Durga Puja economy |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/india/dark-clouds-over-bengals-durga-puja-economy/articleshow/113436768.cms?from=mdr |access-date=19 September 2024 |work=[[Times of India|Economic Times]] |date=18 September 2024 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Singh |first1=Rimjhim |title=Durga Puja celebrations at risk amid Kolkata protests and sponsorship cuts |url=https://www.business-standard.com/india-news/durga-puja-celebrations-at-risk-amid-kolkata-protests-and-sponsorship-cuts-124091800553_1.html |access-date=19 September 2024 |work=Business Standard |date=18 September 2024 |location=New Delhi |language=en|quote=he ongoing protests in Kolkata, sparked by the tragic rape and murder of a trainee doctor at RG Kar Hospital, are posing a threat to the city’s Durga Puja celebrations, which are integral to West Bengal’s Rs 50,000 crore festive economy.}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist|3}}

{{UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity/APA}}

[[Category:Durga Puja]]
[[Category:Bengali festivals]]
[[Category:Festivals in West Bengal]]
[[Category:Culture of Kolkata]]
[[Category:Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity]]
[[Category:Intangible Cultural Heritage of India]]

Durga Puja in Kolkata - Revision history

Estella97P at 03:03, 30 April 2026