Durga Puja festivities came alive across India on Friday, 16 October 2026, as Shardiya Navratri reached its sixth day — dedicated to Maa Katyayani — with thousands of devotees streaming into elaborately decorated pandals in cities spanning West Bengal, Jharkhand, Uttarakhand, and Maharashtra. The opening of pandal doors marked one of the high-points of the festive calendar, blending devotion, cultural performance, and community gathering on a national scale.

Jamshedpur's 500-Pandal Legacy

The steel city of Jamshedpur in Jharkhand emerged as one of the most vibrant centres of celebration, with major socio-cultural and religious organisations — including the Hindi Club, Ranikudar, Sri Sri Rankini Mandir, Sri Utkal Durga Puja Committee, Agrico Puja Committee, and Tuiladungri Puja Committee — unveiling massive, intricately designed pandals. Thematic decorations, synchronised light displays, and traditional Vedic rituals drew large crowds throughout the day.

Jamshedpur is home to approximately 500 distinct Durga Puja celebrations, making it one of the largest multi-community cultural congregations in the region. Local organising committees deployed dedicated volunteers and coordinated infrastructure to manage the heavy footfall and ensure safety and accessibility for families and visitors.

Kolkata's 106-Year-Old Tradition

In Kolkata, the iconic Tala Barowari marked its 106th Durga Puja celebrations with the grand unveiling of the Goddess Durga's idol. Devotee and organiser Abhishek Bhattacharya explained the spiritual vision behind this year's pandal: 'We worship the Shakti in three forms: one is Durga, one is Saraswati, and one is Lakshmi. We know through the Puranas and Vedas that Shakti possesses the divine power of Dasha Maha-vidya and Navadurga — the Navadurga of Uma. This is what we have tried to portray in our pandal.'

The Tala Barowari celebration is among the most closely watched in West Bengal, drawing art lovers, devotees, and cultural enthusiasts alike year after year.

Uttarakhand and Jharkhand Festivities

In Uttarakhand's Kashipur, a seven-day Durga Puja festival is being held from 15 to 21 October, featuring religious rituals, cultural performances, bhajan evenings, and community feasts. The inauguration was performed by Mayor Deepak Bali.

In Jharkhand, Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) general secretary Binod Kumar Pandey and party spokesperson Manoj Kumar Pandey inaugurated the Durga Puja pandal at Harmu Panch Mandir near Harmu Chowk by cutting the ribbon, adding a visible political dimension to the community celebrations.

Maharashtra's 50-Year Legacy of Ravan Effigies

As Dussehra preparations also gathered pace in Maharashtra, artist Hafizuddin Ahmed shared the story of his craft that spans over half a century. 'I make effigies of Ravana, I make Tazia, I do set/scenery design work, and if any order comes from the film industry, I handle that too,' he said. When asked about his family's generational connection to the trade, he noted: 'I watched my father work, and he told me that his father and grandfather also used to do this same work.'

Ahmed's account reflects how these festivals sustain entire ecosystems of artisanal skill — a reminder that Navratri and Dussehra are not merely religious events but living cultural economies. With several more days of festivities ahead, cities across India are expected to witness peak footfall as Navami and Dussehra approach.