West Bengal BJP Government Hosts First Large Durga Puja Event at Eden Gardens

The West Bengal government held a massive Durga Puja celebration at Kolkata's Eden Gardens on Saturday, drawing a crowd of about 40,000 people. The Mahalaya event marked the start of the first festival season led by the Bharatiya Janata Party administration after coming to power in the State.

Statements And Attendance

Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari attended alongside his Council of Ministers and stated that all celebrations will follow proper religious customs this year. He criticized his predecessor Mamata Banerjee, pointing out that festivities will not start ahead of schedule and that leaders do not have the power to change religious dates. Governor R.N. Ravi, state ministers, actors, religious leaders, artists, and exiled Bangladeshi writer Taslima Nasrin were also present at the gathering. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah missed the event due to protests in Delhi demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The cultural programme featured a drone show and performances by Shantanu Moitra and Kaushiki Chakraborty.

Puja Numbers And Financial Aid

Mr. Adhikari noted that 12,400 additional community Durga Pujas are taking place across the State this year compared to the previous administration. While the prior government oversaw 45,000 pujas in 2025, the Chief Minister had asked major committees to refuse state financial assistance. The Trinamool regime had started giving cash incentives to organizers in 2018, a practice the current government has kept in place, but over 200 Kolkata puja committees chose to decline the funds in response to the appeal.

Context

Durga Puja is the biggest annual cultural and religious festival in West Bengal, drawing massive public participation and involving extensive local organization. Changes in political leadership in the state often bring shifts in official patronage, public funding policies, and state involvement in major cultural events.