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If you are planning to see 95 Pally this Puja, the festival days run from Friday 16 October (Shashthi) to Wednesday 21 October 2026 (Dashami). Below you will find the schedule, directions for Kolkata, nearby places worth adding to your route, food ideas and practical safety advice.
| Day | Date | What usually happens |
|---|---|---|
| Mahalaya | Sat 10 Oct 2026 | Devi Paksha begins; idols are finished in studios |
| Maha Shashthi | Fri 16 Oct 2026 | Bodhon and Adhibas in the evening; many pandals open to visitors |
| Maha Saptami | Sun 18 Oct 2026 | Nabapatrika snan and main worship |
| Maha Ashtami | Mon 19 Oct 2026 | Anjali, Kumari Puja and Sandhi Puja; the busiest day |
| Maha Navami | Tue 20 Oct 2026 | Homa and final pushpanjali |
| Vijaya Dashami | Wed 21 Oct 2026 | Sindoor khela and immersion |
Panchang sources can differ by a day for Shashthi and Saptami. Always confirm the exact ritual and opening times with the organising committee.
Kolkata's Durga Puja, recognised by UNESCO on its Intangible Cultural Heritage list in 2021, spreads across thousands of neighbourhood pandals, with each neighbourhood club bringing its own approach to idols, lighting and theme.
The theme, idol artist and decoration plan for 95 Pally in 2026 are decided by the committee and often announced only in the days before Shashthi. Until you can confirm them from an official source, treat any third-party claim with caution. Once the pandal opens, take a few minutes at the entrance to read the theme note that most committees display.
Use the Blue Line, Green Line and Purple Line metro for long distances and rely on app cabs or autos for the final stretch.
Timing matters more than anything else for a good experience at 95 Pally. Visit before 11 am for photos and quiet viewing, between 4 and 6 pm for a lighter crowd, or after 10 pm when queues sometimes shorten. Avoid arriving in the 7 to 9 pm window on Ashtami and Navami unless you are comfortable in dense crowds. Always check the committee's own social page for exact opening hours and last entry.
Pandal-hopping works best when you pick one cluster and stay inside it. Places and neighbourhoods that combine well with 95 Pally include:
Roll counters, phuchka stalls and sweet shops operate late during the festival. Street food is part of the experience, but choose busy stalls with high turnover and carry hand sanitiser.
If you are travelling with children or older relatives, plan 95 Pally as a short stop rather than the centre of a long route. Morning visits are calmer, and volunteers can often point you to a quieter entry. Do not assume ramps or seating exist; ask on arrival, and keep your phone charged in case you need to coordinate.
Golden-hour light at 95 Pally flatters idols and pandal fronts, while the lighting shows best after dark. Avoid flash during aarti, keep tripods out of crowded areas and always check whether the committee has restricted photography inside the sanctum.
Durga Puja 2026 runs from Maha Shashthi on Friday 16 October to Vijaya Dashami on Wednesday 21 October. Ashtami falls on Monday 19 October. Check the committee's own announcement for exact opening times.
Use the Blue Line, Green Line and Purple Line metro for long distances and rely on app cabs or autos for the final stretch. Because road closures are common during Puja, plan to walk the last stretch.
Mornings and early afternoons on weekdays are usually the calmest, while evenings after 7 pm are the busiest. Ashtami night tends to be the peak.
Neighbourhood sarbojanin pujas are normally open to everyone without tickets, but arrangements vary by committee. Always check the organisers' announcement for entry rules and any security checks.
Nearby places and pandals that combine well include Central Kolkata, South Kolkata, North Kolkata, Salt Lake. Choose one cluster per evening to avoid long travel between stops.
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Dates follow common panchang listings for West Bengal; opening times and arrangements are set by the organising committee and can change.