Durga Puja 2026: dates, tips & budget

Name: Durga Puja
Start: 2026-10-17
End: 2026-10-21
Location: Kolkata, West Bengal

Kolkata's biggest festival: thousands of artistic pandals (temporary temples), lights and food stalls across the city.

Next dates17–21 Oct 2026Confirmed dates

Startsin 4 daysKolkata, West Bengal

UsuallySeptember or October (Navratri)

What it is

For five days, Kolkata becomes an open-air art gallery as neighbourhoods build elaborate pandals for the goddess Durga. People go pandal-hopping late into the night, and the festival ends with immersion processions on Vijayadashami.

Tips for going on a budget

Go pandal-hopping late at night or early morning to avoid the biggest crowds.
Use the Kolkata Metro; roads are very congested.
Wear comfortable shoes: you will walk a lot.

Plan your trip

Hotels for these dates Compare flights on FareZuno Tours & tickets

Dates checked 2026-10-12. Always confirm on the official source: West Bengal Government holiday list 2026 (Maha Shashthi 17 Oct to Vijaya Dashami 21 Oct).

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