Kolkata’s Park Street to Host Landmark Durga Puja for First Time in Centuries
What Happened
For the first time in centuries, Kolkata's iconic Park Street, best known for its Christmas and New Year celebrations, will host a community Durga Puja at Allen Park. The event is being organised by Kolkata Sanatani Sangha, with organisers describing it as a historic effort to bring a grand Bengali and Sanatani cultural celebration to an area not traditionally associated with Durga Puja. Organisers say there has been no regular Durga Puja on Park Street for over 200 years, apart from a small puja held once or twice in the distant past. The festival will feature cultural programmes, Baul music, traditional performances, evening aartis, and prasad distribution.
Key Takeaways
The move gives Park Street a new festive identity alongside its famous Christmas celebrations, marking a significant cultural addition to one of Kolkata's most iconic public spaces. Organisers insist the Durga Puja will complement, not replace, the area's longstanding Christmas traditions.