Archive · 11 Oct 2026
Eden Gardens Mahalaya Event Opens West Bengal Durga Puja Festivities
Eden Gardens in Kolkata hosted a large event to begin West Bengal’s Durga Puja festivities.
It took place on Mahalaya, which marks the transition from Pitru Paksha to Devi Paksha.
Thousands of dhakis played traditional drums, and drones made pictures of Goddess Durga and a lotus.
The programme also featured music, folk dances and a light-and-sound presentation.
Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari attended with ministers and other guests.
A report after the event said it ran from about 5 p.m.
to 8:30 p.m.
Earlier previews had said it would start around 7 p.m.
and feature 3,000 dhakis and 3,000 drones.
One report claimed the gathering drew around 40,000 people and set a world record, but the event report did not confirm those claims.
West Bengal’s state government held a Mahalaya cultural event at Eden Gardens on Saturday, October 10.
Thousands of dhakis performed, and a drone display formed images of Goddess Durga and a lotus.
The programme included light-and-sound effects, folk dances, fireworks and musical performances; a preview had also advertised a laser show.
Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari arrived in a procession from Red Road with ministers and other guests; a separate report quoted him on religious traditions and criticised his predecessor.
The completed event was reported to run from about 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.; previews had forecast a 7 p.m. start and 3,000 dhakis and drones, while another report claimed about 40,000 attendees and a world record.
- Who
- West Bengal’s state government hosted the event; dhakis, musicians and other performers took part, and Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari attended.
- What
- A cultural event with drumming, music, light-and-sound effects and a drone display opened Durga Puja festivities.
- When
- Saturday, October 10; the event report said it ran from about 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
- Where
- Eden Gardens, Kolkata, West Bengal.
- Why
- To mark Mahalaya and the beginning of West Bengal’s Durga Puja festivities.
Adhikari’s position
Banerjee’s position
Religious customs and inauguration timing
Adhikari’s position
Adhikari said Durga Puja celebrations would follow what he called proper religious traditions and said this was the first time they had not been inaugurated before Mahalaya.
Banerjee’s position
The article reports Adhikari taking a swipe at former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, but does not provide her response or her view on the timing or traditions.
- Venue
- Eden Gardens, Kolkata
- Occasion
- Mahalaya and the start of Durga Puja festivities
- Host
- West Bengal state government
- Reported event hours
- About 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.; previews had forecast a start around 7 p.m.
- Performers
- Dhakis, singers including Shaan, Kaushiki Chakraborty and Lagnajita Chakraborty, and composer Shantanu Moitra’s group
- Drone display
- The event report said thousands of drones formed images of Goddess Durga and a lotus; previews specified 3,000 drones.
- Attendance and record
- A separate report claimed around 40,000 attendees and a world record; the event report did not confirm these claims.
Sources
Mahalaya 2026: 3,000 Dhakis, 3,000 Drones—Kolkata's Eden Gardens Sets World Record With Grand Durga Puja Celebrations
West Bengal's Durga Puja Festival: Kolkata's Eden Gardens To Witness World Record With 3000 Dhaks Beating Together During Mahalaya Celebrations
