1 hr ago
Bengal Approves 12,400 New Durga Pujas, Offers Grants
West Bengal has approved 12,400 new Durga Puja celebrations this year, Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari said.
The state is giving each puja committee Rs 1 lakh.
The government said it would start sending the money on Sunday.
More than 200 committees chose not to take the grant.
They asked that help be given to rural committees and groups run by women instead.
Adhikari said around 45,000 pujas took place in the state last year.
He also said the celebrations would begin during Debipaksha, rather than Pitripaksha.
Cultural programmes are planned in several towns and cities before Sasthi.
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari said 12,400 new Durga Pujas were approved this year.
The state is providing each Durga Puja committee with a grant of Rs 1 lakh, with disbursement set to begin Sunday.
Adhikari said about 45,000 Durga Pujas were held in the state last year.
More than 200 committees declined the grants and asked for support to go to rural and women-run committees.
A Debipaksha launch event at Eden Gardens included state officials, public figures and a rally from Red Road.
- Who
- West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari and the state government; Durga Puja committees are receiving or declining grants.
- What
- The government approved 12,400 new Durga Pujas and is providing grants of Rs 1 lakh per committee.
- Where
- The announcement was made at an event at Eden Gardens in Kolkata; the grants cover committees across West Bengal.
- When
- Adhikari announced the approvals and grants on Saturday; disbursement was to begin Sunday.
- Why
- The grants provide financial assistance to Durga Puja committees; Adhikari said the celebration would start during Debipaksha in keeping with customary rituals.
State grant programme
Committees declining assistance
How public assistance should be distributed
State grant programme
The state is providing a Rs 1 lakh grant to each Durga Puja committee across West Bengal.
Committees declining assistance
More than 200 committees declined the grant and asked the government to extend assistance to rural committees and those run by women.
Key facts
- New Pujas approved
- 12,400
- Grant per committee
- Rs 1 lakh
- Planned start of disbursement
- Sunday
- Pujas held last year
- Around 45,000, according to Adhikari
- Committees declining grants
- More than 200
- Their request
- Direct assistance to rural Bengal committees and committees run by women
- Event venue
- Eden Gardens, Kolkata
Quotes
Suvendu Adhikari
West Bengal chief minister
“In our Cabinet meeting, we decided that Durga Pujas will not commence during Pitripakkha, which is why we inaugurated it today during Debipokkho. We had decided that this year, besides the cultural aspects of the puja, we will also follow the customary rituals as per the traditional Hindu astrological almanac.”
theprint.in
telegraphindia.com
“Compared to the number of Durga Pujas held in 2025, this year we have 12,400 new pujas.”
telegraphindia.com
Sources
Related news
BJP Leader’s Durga Puja Picture Order Triggers Party Backlash
Bangladesh Extends Durga Puja Holiday, Raises Festival Grants
New Bengal Puja Body Challenges VIP Culture, Forum
Adhikari Says Ganesh Puja Broke Bengal’s Religious Barriers
Bengal Plans Durga Puja Launch With Modi at Eden Gardens
Eight Kolkata Pujas Selected for Inaugural Adani Preview 2026
Suvendu Launches Emergency System, Targets Faster Police Responses
Suvendu Adhikari Accuses Mamata Banerjee Over RG Kar Attack
Kamtapuri Group Sends Four Demands to West Bengal Chief Minister
Suvendu Threatens Action Over Bhattacharyya’s ‘Anti-Hindu’ Post
