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Maddox Square is one of the neighbourhood pujas that visitors look for in Ballygunge and Gariahat belt. In 2026 the festival runs from 16 to 21 October, and this page brings together the schedule, transport tips, nearby pandals and food stops so you can plan your visit in a few minutes.
| 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.
Ballygunge and the Gariahat-Rashbehari belt hold some of south Kolkata's best-known club pujas, including pandals around Maddox Square, Deshapriya Park and the Ballygunge cultural associations, often known for elaborate themes and lighting.
Neighbourhood committees usually reveal the theme, idol style and lighting concept close to Shashthi, and many keep the details secret until the pandal opens. We have not listed an unconfirmed theme for Maddox Square; check the committee's own Facebook or Instagram page for the official announcement, and look at the idol, the pandal structure and the lighting together, since they are designed as one piece.
Ballygunge Junction is the nearest rail station on the Sealdah South line; for metro, Kalighat and Jatin Das Park on the Blue Line are common starting points followed by an auto.
For Maddox Square, plan your visit around the crowd pattern: mornings are quiet, afternoons are moderate, and the hours between 7 pm and midnight are the busiest. Shashthi and Saptami evenings are usually easier than Ashtami and Navami. If you have flexibility, Sunday is the busiest day for family visits, and Wednesday (Dashami) is often calmer until immersion processions start. Gariahat Crossing is one of the busiest junctions in the city on Ashtami; plan to enter on foot.
Pandal-hopping works best when you pick one cluster and stay inside it. Places and neighbourhoods that combine well with Maddox Square include:
Gariahat Market's phuchka, biryani and roll counters are festival staples; expect long waits at famous spots. 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 Maddox Square 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.
Photography is welcome at most pandals, but queue discipline comes first. At Maddox Square, take your photos from the side of the queue rather than stopping in the middle of a lane, and ask before photographing people during rituals or sindoor khela.
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.
Ballygunge Junction is the nearest rail station on the Sealdah South line; for metro, Kalighat and Jatin Das Park on the Blue Line are common starting points followed by an auto. 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 Gariahat, Hindustan Park, Deshapriya Park, Maddox Square. 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.