Suvendu Adhikari Inaugurates Santosh Mitra Square Durga Puja
West Bengal CM Suvendu Adhikari inaugurated the 91st year of Santosh Mitra Square Durga Puja in Kolkata, themed around Vande Mataram.
In a vibrant display of tradition and celebration, West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari officially inaugurated the Santosh Mitra Square Durga Puja in Kolkata this Sunday. The historic celebration, located in the Bowbazar area, is marking its prestigious 91st year of festivities in 2026.
A Tribute to the National Song
This year's festivities carry a profound patriotic significance. The Santosh Mitra Square Durga Puja has adopted the theme “Vande Mataram” to commemorate the monumental 150th anniversary of India's national song. The theme aims to blend spiritual devotion with national pride, drawing crowds to witness the artistic tribute.
Grand Mahalaya Celebrations at Eden Gardens
Prior to the puja inauguration, the Chief Minister participated in a spectacular Mahalaya event held at the iconic Eden Gardens. The celebration, marking the spiritual onset of the festive season, was a visual marvel featuring:
- High-tech drone shows illuminating the sky.
- Intricate 3D projection mapping.
- Dynamic laser-and-light displays.
- Ceremonial fireworks that lit up the Kolkata skyline.
During the event, CM Adhikari shared his heartfelt wishes with the public, praying for the prosperity and peace of the state. In a message shared on social media platform X, he expressed his hopes for the strengthening of cultural heritage, unity, and brotherhood across West Bengal.
Devotion Sweeps Across India
As the nine-day Shardiya Navratri festival commenced, a wave of devotion was felt across the nation. Thousands of devotees flocked to sacred sites to seek the blessings of Goddess Durga:
- New Delhi: Crowds gathered at the Chhatarpur Temple and Kali Bari.
- Assam: Massive influx of worshippers at the Kamakhya Temple in Guwahati.
- Uttarakhand: Devotees thronged the Mansa Devi temple in Haridwar.
- Jammu and Kashmir: The pilgrimage town of Katra saw a festive surge as pilgrims arrived at the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi shrine, which stood beautifully illuminated against the Trikuta Hills.
The festival of Durgotsava, which celebrates the victory of Goddess Durga over the demon Mahishasur, continues to serve as a testament to India's diverse and vibrant spiritual traditions, bringing people together to honor the various forms of the divine feminine energy.