Kolkata Durga Puja 2026: Dates, Travel Guide, Famous Pandals, Food and IRCTC Packages
Kolkata comes alive during Durga Puja, transforming into a vast open-air celebration filled with elaborately decorated pandals, artistic installations, lights and cultural festivities. Recognised by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage, the festival attracts visitors from across India and around the world.
For those planning a Kolkata Durga Puja trip in 2026, advance planning is important, particularly for accommodation, train bookings, local transport and pandal-hopping routes.
Kolkata Durga Puja 2026 Dates and Best Time to VisitThe main Durga Puja celebrations in 2026 will take place from October 16 to October 20, covering Maha Shashthi through Vijaya Dashami.
Mahalaya falls on October 10 and marks the beginning of the festive countdown. In Kumartuli, the traditional ritual of Chokhu Daan, or painting the eyes of Goddess Durga, is an important part of the occasion.
The major pandals are at their most active from Maha Shashthi through the later Puja days. Visitors looking to avoid the heaviest crowds can consider October 15 and 16, around Maha Panchami and Maha Shashthi. Crowds are expected to increase considerably from Saptami through Navami.
How to Plan Your Kolkata Durga Puja TripA four- to five-day itinerary can provide enough time to explore major pandals across North, Central and South Kolkata without making the trip overly tiring.
Staying around central areas such as Esplanade or Park Street, or close to Metro stations, can make daily travel more convenient. Kolkata Metro, walking and local transport options such as auto-rickshaws are particularly useful during the festival, especially in narrow streets where larger vehicles may face restrictions.
It is also practical to organise pandal visits by area. Visitors can explore North Kolkata on one day and move towards Central or South Kolkata on another day instead of travelling repeatedly across the city.
Travellers should also account for higher hotel prices during the festive period, along with transportation expenses and the cost of guided pandal tours.
IRCTC Packages for Kolkata Durga Puja 2026IRCTC Tourism offers city-based holiday options such as the Simply Kolkata Durga Puja Special
These packages are available for a duration of 2 nights and 3 days and include hotel accommodation with breakfast and dinner, AC transfers and guided pandal tours. Prices start at approximately ₹23,940 and can go up to around ₹31,000 per adult, depending on room occupancy.
Bookings can be made through the official IRCTC Tourism website or railway tourism counters.
Famous Durga Puja Pandals to Visit in KolkataKolkata has numerous prominent Durga Puja celebrations, with each neighbourhood offering its own style, theme and traditions.
Bagbazar Sarbojanin in North Kolkata is known for its traditional Ekchala Durga idol and heritage character. College Square in Central Kolkata is particularly noted for its lighting arrangements around the water tank.
In South Kolkata, Ekdalia Evergreen is known for themes inspired by famous world structures and traditional lighting. Ballygunge Cultural Association presents themes connected with art, society and heritage, while Maddox Square is popular for its open-field carnival-like atmosphere.
Santosh Mitra Square in Central Kolkata is known for elaborate architectural models and illuminations. Suruchi Sangha in South Kolkata is recognised for themes reflecting the traditions of different Indian states.
Best Areas for Pandal HoppingTo make sightseeing easier and avoid unnecessary travel through congested roads, visitors can divide Kolkata into three main zones.
North Kolkata:
Central Kolkata: College Square, Santosh Mitra Square and Mohammad Ali Park are among the prominent areas to explore.
South Kolkata: Ekdalia Evergreen, Singhi Park, Hindustan Park, Tridhara, Suruchi Sangha and Chetla Agrani form a popular pandal-hopping circuit.
What to Eat During Durga Puja in KolkataFood is an important part of the Kolkata Durga Puja experience. Traditional bhog served at pandals commonly includes khichuri, labra, beguni and payesh.
Luchi with alur dom is another popular choice, particularly for a morning meal. Visitors can also try Kolkata’s famous kathi rolls, available with fillings such as spiced chicken, mutton or paneer. Phuchka, served with tangy tamarind water and spiced potato filling, is another popular street-food option.
For dessert, Bengali favourites such as rosogolla, sandesh and mishti doi are widely enjoyed during the festive season.
How to Travel Around Kolkata During Durga PujaKolkata Metro is one of the most useful ways to travel between major areas during the festival. Metro services operate late into the night and can help visitors avoid some of the road congestion.
Walking is often the most practical option around popular pandals, particularly where barricades, pedestrian zones and narrow lanes restrict vehicle movement.
Taxis and app-based cab services can be useful for longer journeys, although travellers should expect traffic delays and potentially higher fares during busy periods.
Major traffic diversions and pedestrian arrangements are introduced by the police from around 4 pm during the festival. Visitors should therefore check the Kolkata Traffic Police website for the latest traffic arrangements before heading out.