Bengal Govt to Host Durga Puja Event at Eden Gardens, PM Modi May Attend

The West Bengal government is planning to organise a major Durga Puja event at Kolkata’s iconic Eden Gardens cricket stadium, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi possibly attending the programme as a guest. Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari announced the plan during a preparatory meeting held in Kolkata, describing the proposed gathering as one of the biggest Durga Puja events to be organised in the State. The programme is expected to mark the formal beginning of the festive season and bring together political leaders, cultural personalities, religious representatives and members of the public.

The event is scheduled to be held on October 10, coinciding with Mahalaya, an important day in the Bengali calendar that traditionally marks the arrival of Goddess Durga and the beginning of Durga Puja celebrations. Mahalaya is observed through prayers, devotional programmes and cultural traditions across Bengal. Speaking at the meeting, Adhikari said the Eden Gardens event would serve as the opening of the Puja festivities and would reflect the scale and importance of the festival in West Bengal’s cultural and social life.

“We will have the biggest Durga Puja event on Mahalaya in Eden Gardens. This will be the beginning of the pujas,” Adhikari said while outlining the government’s plans. Although the Prime Minister’s attendance has not been officially confirmed, his possible participation has added significance to the proposed programme. The use of Eden Gardens, one of Kolkata’s most recognisable public venues, is expected to provide the event with a large capacity and a high-profile setting suitable for a major State-level celebration.

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The Chief Minister also announced plans to illuminate Kolkata as part of celebrations marking Prime Minister Modi’s birthday on September 17. He said diyas would be lit across the city and major buildings would be decorated with lights to mark the occasion. The proposed lighting programme is expected to involve prominent public spaces and important structures, creating a festive atmosphere in the city ahead of the Durga Puja season. The announcement links the birthday celebrations with a broader programme of public events and citywide decoration.

Durga Puja is West Bengal’s most important annual festival and is celebrated through elaborate idols, artistic pandals, cultural performances, processions, devotional rituals and community gatherings. The festival attracts large numbers of residents, tourists and visitors from different parts of India and abroad. A major opening event at Eden Gardens would provide a central platform for showcasing Bengal’s traditions while also highlighting the State’s preparations for the festival, which is recognised for its cultural significance and public participation.

The proposed Eden Gardens programme is now expected to become a key feature of the government’s festive calendar, although details regarding the final guest list, performances, security arrangements and programme schedule are yet to be announced. The possibility of Prime Minister Modi attending could give the event national attention, while the lighting of Kolkata’s major buildings and public spaces is likely to add to the visibility of the celebrations. Further announcements are expected as preparations for Mahalaya and Durga Puja progress.

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