Kolkata, Oct 26: Kolkata is buzzing with excitement as the annual Durga Puja Carnival on Red Road approaches, scheduled for October 27. Organized by the Tourism Department of the West Bengal government, this one-day extravaganza will feature nearly 100 puja committees from across the state, showcasing their stunning Durga idols and presenting song and dance performances.
This year’s event promises to be particularly international, with 14 countries sending their Consul Generals or representatives to join the celebrations. Participating countries include Australia, Bangladesh, Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Myanmar, Nepal, Russia, Thailand, the USA, Bhutan, and China.
The highlight of the event is expected to be the presence of West Bengal’s Chief Minister, Mamata Banerjee, who has been recuperating from a leg injury that occurred during her trip to Spain and Dubai. Her participation is eagerly anticipated and will enhance the carnival’s prestige.
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One of the main objectives of this carnival is to promote Durga Puja as a cultural attraction for foreign tourists and dignitaries. Each Puja committee will be allotted three minutes to display their cultural performances, further enhancing the carnival’s global appeal.
This year’s carnival will kick off with a dance performance by the Dona Ganguly group, led by Dona Ganguly, the wife of former cricketer Sourav Ganguly. The event organizers have made seating arrangements for approximately 18,000 attendees.
Given the scale of the event, Red Road will be closed to traffic for 24 hours, from midnight on October 27 to midnight on October 28. The Kolkata Police have issued a traffic advisory, with traffic restrictions affecting several roads around Red Road, including AJC Bose Road, Hastings Crossing, Lovers Lane, New Road, Dufferin Road, and Hare Street.
Access to Red Road on the day of the carnival will be available via AJC Bose Road, Mayo Road, and Jawaharlal Nehru Road. Metro commuters can disembark at Dharmatala and Park Street stations, which will provide convenient access to Red Road through designated routes. Additionally, parking will be restricted on Cathedral Road.
The West Bengal government has been organizing the Durga Puja Carnival since 2016, with the exception of two years (2020 and 2021) due to the Covid-19 pandemic. In December 2021, Durga Puja received a heritage tag from the United Nations, recognizing “Durga Puja in Kolkata” as part of the “Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.” This acknowledgment adds significant prestige to the festival and enhances its global recognition.
