West Bengal Welcomes Devi Paksha With Music, Light-and-Sound Show and Drones

West Bengal ushered in the Durga Puja festivities on Saturday with a grand cultural programme featuring traditional music, folk dances, a spectacular light-and-sound presentation and a drone display depicting Goddess Durga at the iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata.

Organised by the state government on Mahalaya, the event brought together Bengal’s rich cultural heritage and modern entertainment, drawing thousands of spectators to witness the celebrations.

Thousands of dhakis, or traditional drummers, captivated the audience with their rhythmic beats, recreating the festive atmosphere associated with the arrival of Goddess Durga. Their performances formed one of the evening’s major attractions.

A specially curated light-and-sound presentation traced the journey of Durga Puja, beginning with the traditional Mahalaya broadcast on radio and culminating in Sindoor Khela, the ritual observed on Dashami, the final day of the festival. The highlight of the evening was a spectacular drone show, during which thousands of drones illuminated the night sky, forming images of Goddess Durga and a lotus.

The cultural programme featured performances by popular singers Shaan, Kaushiki Chakraborty and Lagnajita Chakraborty. Music composer Shantanu Moitra and his group also performed, while Debarshi Bhattacharya and other musicians presented instrumental renditions. Writer Taslima Nasrin was among the personalities present on the stage. Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari arrived at Eden Gardens after leading a procession from Red Road.

He was accompanied by Cabinet colleagues, personalities from the film industry and other distinguished guests. The large-scale event aimed to showcase Bengal’s diverse cultural traditions while celebrating the spiritual significance of Mahalaya, which marks the transition from Pitru Paksha, dedicated to ancestors, to Devi Paksha, associated with the worship of the Goddess. The programme began at around 5 pm and continued until 8.30 pm, setting the stage for the much-awaited annual celebrations across the state.

Durga Puja, one of Bengal’s most prominent festivals, brings together religious observances, artistic installations, cultural performances and community celebrations.