Durga Puja from India, where worship meets social change

Registered by the UN cultural agency, UNESCOIn 2021 as an element of intangible cultural heritage of humanity, Durga Puja is not only a festival, it is a city-wide re-asset act, one that resonates with the Bengalian Diaspora and others around the world.

For a few autumn nights, the city of Kolkata (and other parts of West Bengal) became an outdoor gallery where local communities build dazzling temporary temples or pandalencraftsmen of Kumartoli sculpt the goddess of River Clay, Drummers (waxy) Roll through the streets and millions of wander from one enlightened dream landscape to the next.

The festivities came on Thursday.

What looks like a spectacle is actually a community in motion: local clubs that raise money, families who do volunteer work, employees who work together and whole local economies that come to life around food, lights, music and art.

Families map mapping of their “Pandal -Hopping” routes, musicians put the rhythm, the city weaves together, and the city itself becomes a stage. All types of divisions – class, caste, ethnicity – melt away in this city of millions of circles.

UNESCO -recognition

UNESCO recognized the Durga Puja, named after the Hindu Goddess Durga, in 2021 in which it described as “the best copy of the public performance of religion and art, and a flourishing ground for collaborative artists and designers.”

As Tim Curtis, UNESCO -Representative in IndiaExplained: “It embodies the Sarbojonin spirit -” for all people ” – who has defined community worship since 1926. From clay sculptors to drummers, designers to local organizers, the entire city contributes to one of the most lively cultural expressions in the world.”

This is not locked up in monuments but in practice living, hand in hand through craftsmanship, re -conceived every year with new themes and binding communities in the classroom, faith and language.

Durga Puja is also a powerhouse of creative economy. A study from 2019 estimated that the industries of the festival generate $ 4.53 billion, 2.58 percent of GDP from West Bengalen.

Art with a message

For Shombi SharpCoordinator of the United Nations in India, This year, his first visit to the age -old Pandal, which now brought sustainable agriculture to the attention, which emphasized the broader importance of the emphasis Sustainable development goals.

He told One news“Normally you see Godin Durga beating evil-here is the ‘evil’ pesticides and non-durable agricultural practices. Behind me is an exhibition with 280 rice varieties from East and Northeast India. That are 12-13 million visitors to powerful reports about organic agriculture, biodiversity and sustainability.”

Another headline grabber is a Pandal with AI-theme that combines dedication with digital imagination. Godin Durga appears in her traditional form – ten arms and a lion – while the background is bursting with circuit board patterns, glowing data flows and neon light.

The point is clear: faith and technology can co -exist; Even in a futuristic framework.

Visitor reactions reflect this mix of wonder and caution. A The 30-year-old lab technician from Kolkata, said Nupur Hajara “The more positive people receive ai, the better. If they take it negatively, it won’t help – right?”

IT Professional, Sumitam Shom explained: “Durga Puja is our largest, most special festival – and now AI is part of the conversation. It can do a lot of good, but there are also risks, especially fraud. Deepfakes and viral images are real worries. Without security guards, someone can abuse photos and mislead people. So it is crucial that we use these technologies.”

Add another register of urgency, Another Pandal with the theme “Shabdo” (“Sound”) draws attention to its moving focus on the disappearing sounds of nature – chirping birds, rustling leaves, creaking frogs – captured by compelling, sensory design.

A meditation about nostalgia

It was a meditation about the loss of the environment and nostalgia and asked what it means for the sounds of nature in a city to become quieter as habitats shrink.

Raja, a Pandal -visitor, Simply put: “You hardly see any birds anymore. My grandfather always told me how often they were; now they are rare – partly, because of the impact of mobile network. This building is our way of waking up the community, to learn how to bring the birds back and work together.”

Many other Pandals also reflect urgent social themes. Survivors of acid attacks are honored, not only raising consciousness, but also celebrating their dignity and contributions. Another emphasizes water saving.

The messages also resonate for young visitors. Tisa, an 18-year-old student at a Pandal dedicated to water retention, shows that “Groundwater is exhausted from day to day. This is the best way to make the public aware.”

Make puja accessible to everyone

Durga Puja also takes a step in the direction of inclusiveness.

In June 2025, UNESCO and the One in IndiaWorking with organizations of people with disabilities, launched extensive accessibility guidelines for festival organizers.

The results are visible on the ground. Ramps and barrier-free layouts convenience mobility, Braille signposting and sign-language interpreters are expanding communication, and quiet seats offer people able to rest.

As the Shombi Sharp of the UN remembered: “We heard from a father who for the first time in 17 years could bring his daughter, a wheelchair user, to celebrate Durga Puja. That was an incredibly emotional moment.”