Archive · 11 Oct 2026
Bengal Approves 12,400 New Durga Pujas, Announces Grants
West Bengal has approved 12,400 new Durga Puja committees this year, Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari said.
The state is giving each committee Rs 1 lakh.
The government planned to start sending the money on Sunday.
More than 200 committees chose not to take the grant.
They asked the government to help rural committees and groups run by women instead.
Adhikari said around 45,000 Durga Pujas were held in the state last year.
He said the celebrations were being timed for Debipaksha, in keeping with customary rituals.
A programme at Eden Gardens marked the occasion with performances and a rally.
Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari said the state approved 12,400 new Durga Puja committees this year.
The state is providing each committee a grant of Rs 1 lakh, with disbursement set to begin Sunday.
More than 200 committees declined the grant and asked that assistance go to rural and women-run committees.
Adhikari said around 45,000 Durga Pujas were held in West Bengal last year.
Mahalaya and Debipaksha celebrations at Eden Gardens included a rally, cultural performances and a symbolic drone welcome for Goddess Durga.
- Who
- West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari and Durga Puja committees across the state.
- What
- The state approved 12,400 new puja committees and is providing grants of Rs 1 lakh per committee; more than 200 committees declined the grants.
- When
- Adhikari made the announcement on Saturday; grant disbursement was to begin Sunday.
- Where
- At Eden Gardens in Kolkata, with grants and cultural programmes involving locations across West Bengal.
- Why
- The government said it was supporting Durga Puja committees and scheduling the start of celebrations during Debipaksha in accordance with customary rituals.
State grant programme
Committees declining assistance
How grants should be distributed
State grant programme
The state is providing Rs 1 lakh to each Durga Puja committee across West Bengal.
Committees declining assistance
More than 200 committees declined the grants and asked the government to direct assistance to rural committees and those run by women.
- New committees approved
- 12,400
- Grant per committee
- Rs 1 lakh
- Planned grant disbursement
- From Sunday
- Pujas held last year
- Around 45,000, according to Adhikari
- Committees declining grants
- More than 200
- Declining committees' request
- Assistance for rural Bengal committees and committees run by women
- Event venue
- Eden Gardens, Kolkata
- Cultural programme locations
- Durgapur, Bishnupur, Siliguri, Cooch Behar, Malda, Berhampore and Digha
Sources
12,400 new Durga Pujas permitted in Bengal this year, grants to be disbursed soon: Suvendu
West Bengal CM Suvendu Adhikari Attends Mahalaya Celebrations At Eden Gardens; 12,400 New Durga Puja Committees Get Approval
