For Bengalis, autumn is when Bengal comes alive in an ensemble of ‘dhaak’ beats, swirling incense smoke, ‘dhunuchi’ dance, and endless ‘adda’. For those living far from home, the pull of Durga Puja is irresistible — a yearning not merely for a festival but for that carnivalesque coming together.In Bengaluru, the Bengali community recreates that yearning in pockets across the city, turning neighbourhoods into a “mini Bengal”, where familiar sights, sounds, smells and rituals offer ‘probashees’ (those living outside their home state) a joyous ‘homecoming’, thousands of miles from the silt-laden banks of the Hooghly.Durga Puja, also known as ‘Sharodotsav’ (autumnal festival), brings tradition, innovation, and diverse cultural showcases into a heart-warming mix designed to ensure everyone — and not just ‘probashees’ — gets to soak up a slice of an immersive experience. From Palace Grounds to Whitefield, it’s a call to bring the community together.This year, Durga Puja runs from Maha Shasthi on Oct 16 to Vijaya Dashami on Oct 21.Themes of TranscendenceBengaluru’s Durga Puja committees continue to push the boundaries of storytelling through their themed pandals, blending spiritual quests with cutting-edge creativity.At the RT Nagar Durga Samiti, celebrated under the banner of the RT Nagar Socio-Cultural Trust, at Palace Grounds (Princess Green, Gate 9), this year marks the 20th annivesary. Its theme , ‘Chakrabuho’ (chakravyuh or the labyrinth), reflects the complexities of modern existence.“In our everyday life, we face situations where we get into this labyrinth in everything that we do — everyday work, everyday meetings,” Sanjay Bhattacharjee, chief secretary, RT Nagar Durga Samiti, explained. “But what we are trying to project is that after getting into this ‘Chakrabuho’, you feel the power of Goddess Durga,” he added.To bring the labyrinth to life, the pandal blends tech with art, featuring holographic displays and motorised rotational elements. The idol and artisans were flown in from Kolkata to preserve the classic craftsmanship.Meanwhile, in Whitefield, along the ITPL-Hoskote stretch, the Maddox Square of Bangalore puja committee has conceptualised its celebration around the theme ‘Moner Manush: Shanti’ (Person of the Soul: Peace of Mind). Focusing on serenity in a turbulent world, the organisers have anchored their pandal around Baul (pronounced as Baa-ul) culture — a syncretic tradi-tion associated with the wandering mystic minstrels and their music.“Baul is a symbol of peace, and its music carries that message across generations. Given the turbulent world we live in, we’re organising a non-stop 48-hour yajna, led by eight priests,” shared Sumanta Paul, the founder-member of East Bangalore Cultural Association Durga Puja.Though sculpted in Bengaluru by Kolkata-born sculptor Chandrashekhar, the idol here reflects the one at Kolkata’s Maddox Square.Barsha Mahapuja 2026, located at South Avenue Grounds, behind the Electronics City Metro Station, will present what promises to be the biggest pandal in Bengaluru, standing approximately 35 feet tall and 75 feet wide. Themed on Anchal — A Tribute to the Eternal Shelter, the pandal will be designed as a majestic, palace-like shelter embodying warmth, protection and belonging.“The interiors will feature hand-made chandeliers and pillars adorned with mother-and-child motifs, complemented by motherhood-themed wall art, flowing ‘aanchal’ drapes, and soft ambient lighting,” said Priyanka Sinha Roy, joint secretary and media head, Barsha Mahapuja.At Jayamahal Durga Puja, the theme is Shabekiyana — Tradition Relived. “For us, ‘shabekiyana’ [being traditional] is not just about looking back at ancient Bengal, but to bring familiar traditions, art forms and memories to life. We are drawing from art forms such as Kalighat painting and Patachitra. The idol has been created in Bengaluru by artisans from Bengal,” said Anu-radha Roy, president, Jayamahal Cultural Association.Green Glen Layout Cultural Association’s 10th Anandotsab – Bellandur Durga Puja 2026 features Mrinmayi Abhaya –Worshipping the Earthly Divine as its theme, celebrating the earth’s life-giving power as manifest in the transformation of clay into a Durga idol. Departing from the traditional depiction of the goddess slaying Mahishasura, here, he is portrayed as surrendering peacefully at her feet, highlighting Durga’s compassion and her power to inspire people to overcome their fears and vices, said association member Subhra Goswami.From tech-infused installations at Palace Grounds to Baul melodies wafting through Whitefield, Bengaluru’s Durga Puja is a community coming together to infuse warmth and belonging to shared celebrations — thousands of miles away from its homeland.A Cultural MelangeBengaluru’s Durga Puja celebrations promise a vibrant mix of Bengali music, folk traditions, classical performances andcultural showcases. Here are some pandals to visit for a memorable festive experience:EBCA, WHITEFIELD:Maddox Square of Bangalore hosts Kolkata-based Bengali and Assamese folk band Dohar on Maha Shasthi — a tribute to latefolk artist Kalikaprasad Bhattacharya — followed by an open Dandiya nightBELLANDUR DURGA PUJA (GGLCA): Enjoy Indian Idol Season 15 finalist Mayuri Saha on Oct 17, Jimut Roy on Oct 18and classical vocalist Pandit Iman Das on Oct 19BARSHA, SARJAPUR: Groove to Bengali fusion band Shivaprasad & Co. on Oct 18INDIRANAGAR SOCIO-CULTURAL ASSOCIATION: Watch a Yakshagana performance on Oct 18, followed by singer Subhasree Debnath on Oct 20RT NAGAR DURGA SAMITI: Experience Nagaland’s Hornbill Festival, featuring Naga band Run Monday Run and traditionaldancers on Saptami RT Nagar’s stage spotlights folk artist Poushali (on Shasthi), vocal duo Antara and Ankita (on Saptami),and Bollywood singer Nikhita Gandhi (on Navami)JAYAMAHAL CULTURAL ASSOCIATION: Celebrate legendary actor Uttam Kumar’s legacy alongside Kathak recitals, folk-fusionband Achin Pakhi and Rahul Dev’s musical team on Oct 18SUKRITI CULTURAL ASSOCIATION, VARTHUR ROAD: Catch the Fakirs on Oct 18, Rupankar Bagchi on Oct 19 and Achin Pakhi on Oct 20HORAMAVU BENGALI CULTURAL ASSOCIATION: Enjoy Achin Pakhi’s folk, Sufi and Bollywood fusion on Oct 19BENGALIS IN BANGALORE, BANNERGHATTA ROAD: Catch Poushali Banerjee live on Oct 17KAGGADASPURA BENGALI ASSOCIATION: Listen to Lopamudra Mitra on Oct 19HCWA SARBOJONIN DURGOTSAV, JAKKUR: Lopamudra Mitra will perform on Oct 18TRINAYANI CULTURAL COMMITTEE, SARJAPUR RD: ALPIN (The Rock Band) will perform live at their first-ever Durga Pujaconcert on Oct 17BEGUR BENGALI SOCIO-CULTURAL TRUST: Ashmita Kar & Band INSYNC on Oct 20
