City Lights: Pujo 2026

Panchami always creates the perfect prelude for the festive fervour to set in. The festive look-book for the day embraces a casual chic vibe, accented with a touch of soft glamour, embodied by the charming city lights. Inspired by the lotus flower and its diverse colour spectrum, the presentation celebrates the joy of festival in true spirit.

The wait for celebration is almost over. A quick ride around the city is a treat to our eyes. We see how the city has transformed from a mundane daily space to a magical world in just few days’ time. Artist vision, designers’ thoughts and artisans’ participation, a journey of collective effort has once again transformed the city of joy into one of the world’s largest public art celebration spaces.

Charming illumination of enchantment:

The joy of watching our favourite city streets glow brighter in warm white illumination enhancing the festive warmth of the city and announcing the arrival of Goddess Durga in Kolkata, is probably the best feeling we have been waiting for. The art of captivating the essence of the month of Pujo, i.e, Autumn or Sharat kal, Aswin Mash in Bengali, is transition or letting go, and this quiet transition is beautifully captured through the festive charm around the city decor. Just like the nature itself, this quiet transformation of the city is felt in its colourful décor and we notice the transition from cool, muted hues to warm fiery festive tones around us.

Let there be light and in this Durga Pujo, the city lights get a unique festive makeover, with bright illuminations around the streets. Flyovers decked up in Alpona, design pattern in a bouquet of colours. Streets glow brighter, old neighbourhoods come alive with anticipation as the mundane by-lanes are decorated in temporary installations. Special Patachitra artwork on clay bowl commonly known as matir shora has been aesthetically installed prominently to showcase the vibrant folk-art tradition of the East. The Illumination of the curated folk-art installations and tastefully selected decorative pallet elevates the city’s celebration spirit.

Magical makeover of the city:

Just like the autumn leaves, it’s the moment to let go the thoughts of mundane struggles of life and soak in the Pujo spirit to be a part of one of the largest public art celebrations in the world. Enjoy as the streets begin to change and announce changes. Go around and experience how these temporary installations also known as Pujo Mandap or Pandal are the home of Ma Durga, turns into temple for offering prayer and rituals on daily basis. The five days of Pujo will be therefore illuminated through the jovial sparks of hope, faith, fun and merrymaking.

On your way to pandals you will experience an immersive journey through the decked-up lanes steeped in festive makeover with impressive gateways, decorative arches, and magnificent installations transporting you to an alternative world from your familiar cityscape. Additionally, specially curated decorative illuminations installed at every intersection will leave a theatrical impact on your mind. The familiar sites, such as the Akashbani Bhavan, Red Road, Eden Garden or the Park street and Maidan stretches have offered a treat to our humble eyes. Thoughtful installation of myriad lights around the streets and along the ghats of river Hooghly leaves a magical impression on your mind.

While the renowned artists and artisans come together to give a shape to the festival, designers have worked hard to transform concepts into immersive interactive spaces. And the collective effort now offers you a magical experience you wish never fades.

Art of letting go:

Festive grandeur meets modern charm in this quintessential festival décor and lights around the city. An autumn shade of letting go yet a festive shade symbolising bold power leaves us with a hint of drama at the end of the celebration as we bid goodbye to Ma Durga, through Baran and Sindur dan on the Dasami.

The lingering effect of letting go remains in our heart and the wait for the following autumn begins with releasing the Nilkanth bird (symbolising a messenger from earth to Mount Kailash, the holy abode of Lord Shiva and him about the beginning of the return journey of the Goddess with family) from Shova Bajar Rajbari after the immersion.