# Navratri in Kolkata: a guide for every community

> Kolkata spends Navratri on Durga Puja, but the city's Gujarati, Marwari, Punjabi, Bihari, Tamil and Telugu families keep their own customs alongside it. In recent years Salt Lake's Central Park has hosted the city's biggest Ravan dahan on Dussehra; garba and dandiya nights are ticketed events across the city; South Indian homes keep Golu. In 2026 Navratri begins on 11 October, Dussehra falls on 20 October in most calendars, and Bengal's Bijoya Dashami on 21 October.

Source: https://pujoparikramaguide.in/navratri/in-kolkata/ (updated 2026-10-06)

Kolkata spends the nine nights on **Durga Puja**, the city's biggest festival. But Kolkata has long been home to families from every part of India, Gujarati and Marwari traders in Burrabazar and Bhowanipore, Punjabi, Bihari and Odia families, Tamil and Telugu households in the south of the city, and they keep their own Navratri customs alongside the pandals. This guide is for anyone who wants both: your own traditions and Kolkata's Pujo.

## Navratri 2026 in Kolkata: the dates

| Day | Date | What happens in Kolkata |
|---|---|---|
| Mahalaya | Saturday 10 October | Dawn broadcast of *Mahishasuramardini*; the season begins |
| Navratri day 1 (Pratipada) | Sunday 11 October | Ghatasthapana in homes; Golu goes up |
| Panchami to Shashthi | 16 to 17 October | Pandals open; Bodhon on Shashthi evening |
| Saptami | Sunday 18 October | The first great pandal night |
| Ashtami | Monday 19 October | Anjali, Sandhi Puja, Kumari Puja; kanya pujan in many homes |
| Navami | Tuesday 20 October | Last big pandal night; Dussehra in most national calendars |
| Bijoya Dashami | Wednesday 21 October | Sindoor khela and immersions |

Calendars differ by a day for some communities. Follow your own panchang for fasting and home rituals, and the Bengal dates above for the pandals.

## Dussehra and Ravan dahan

North Indian families in Kolkata mark Dussehra with Ramlila and the burning of Ravana's effigy. In recent years the city's biggest **Ravan dahan** has been held at **Central Park in Salt Lake**, organised by the Salt Lake Sanskritik Sansad, with towering effigies of Ravana, Kumbhakarna and Meghnad, a fire show and a crowd of many thousands. Smaller Ravan dahans are held by neighbourhood committees in several parts of the city.

Watch the organisers' announcements for the 2026 date: Ravan dahan usually follows the national Dussehra date, which in 2026 most calendars give as **Tuesday 20 October**, a day before Bengal's Bijoya Dashami. Central Park is a short walk from **Central Park metro station** on the Green Line, and the [Salt Lake pandals](/guide/areas/salt_lake/) are close by, so you can combine the two.

## Garba and dandiya nights

Kolkata's garba and dandiya nights are mostly **ticketed events** run by community associations, clubs, hotels and event companies, along with private gatherings of Gujarati and Marwari families. They are announced close to Navratri on event listing apps and in community groups, so check those in the first week of October. Most run late into the night, which fits neatly around a pandal visit in the early evening. New to it? Read our [garba and dandiya guide](/navratri/garba-dandiya/) for the basic steps, what to wear and the etiquette.

## Golu in Kolkata homes

Tamil and Telugu families in Kolkata keep **Golu**, the Navratri display of dolls on steps, at home. If a friend invites you, go in the evening, admire the display, and accept the *thamboolam* and *sundal* you are offered. Read about the customs in the [Golu guide](/navratri/golu/).

## Fasting during Pujo

If you keep a Navratri fast, plan for the pandals: most of the food around them, from rolls to phuchka, is not vrat food. A few tips:

- Eat a proper vrat meal before you set out, and carry fruit, roasted makhana, dry fruit and water.
- Pure-vegetarian restaurants, many in Bhowanipore and Burrabazar, often add Navratri (vrat) menus during the nine days; call ahead.
- Bengal's *bhog* at community pandals is vegetarian (*khichuri*, *labra*, *payesh*), but it is cooked with rice and lentils and ordinary salt, so it is not vrat food.

See [Navratri fasting rules](/navratri/fasting-rules/) for what is usually allowed.

## Durga Puja if you're not Bengali

You don't need to be Bengali to enjoy Kolkata's Pujo; the whole city is invited. A few things that help:

- **Know the words.** *Anjali* is the morning flower offering, *bhog* is the food offered and shared, *sindoor khela* is the married women's farewell on Dashami. The [glossary](/durga-puja/glossary/) has the rest.
- **Ashtami morning.** Join a [pushpanjali](/durga-puja/rituals/pushpanjali-mantra/): the priest says the mantra and everyone repeats it. On the same day, the [Kumari Puja](/durga-puja/rituals/kumari-puja/) at [Belur Math](/guide/pandals/belur_math/) honours a young girl as the Goddess, much as [kanya pujan](/navratri/kanya-pujan/) does.
- **Plan around the crowds.** The famous pandals are busiest from 6 pm to midnight; go early morning or after 2 am. The [pandals by metro guide](/guide/metro/) and [late-night pandal hopping](/guide/late-night-pandal-hopping/) show how.
- **Wear comfortable shoes.** You will walk 10 km on a good night; see [what to wear](/durga-puja/what-to-wear/) and [pandal-hopping tips](/durga-puja/pandal-hopping-tips/).
- **Use the app in Hindi.** The Pujo Parikrama app works in English, Bengali and Hindi.

Bhowanipore, home to many Gujarati and Marwari families, has well-known pandals of its own, such as [Bhowanipore 75 Pally](/guide/pandals/bhowanipore_75pally/); see the [Bhowanipore area guide](/guide/areas/bhowanipore/). Near Burrabazar in central Kolkata, [Mohammad Ali Park](/guide/pandals/md_ali_park/) is known for its lavish replicas and theme pandals.

## Not in Kolkata?

See how other communities keep the same nine nights in [Navratri across India](/navratri/across-india/): Bathukamma, Mysuru Dasara, Kullu Dussehra, Ayudha Puja and more.

## Frequently asked questions

**Where is Ravan dahan held in Kolkata?**
In recent years the city's biggest Ravan dahan has been at Central Park in Salt Lake, organised by the Salt Lake Sanskritik Sansad with effigies of Ravana, Kumbhakarna and Meghnad. Check the organisers' announcement for the 2026 date and time.

**When is Dussehra in Kolkata in 2026?**
Most national calendars place Dussehra on Tuesday 20 October 2026, while the Bengal calendar places Bijoya Dashami, when Durga's idols are immersed, on Wednesday 21 October. Ravan dahan events usually follow the national date; the pandals follow the Bengal one.

**Where can I play garba or dandiya in Kolkata?**
Garba and dandiya nights in Kolkata are mostly ticketed events run by community associations, clubs, hotels and event companies across the city, plus private gatherings of Gujarati and Marwari families. Event listing apps and community groups announce them close to Navratri.

**Can I keep a Navratri fast while pandal hopping?**
Yes, but plan for it: most pandal-side food is not vrat food. Carry fruit, roasted makhana or dry fruit and water, eat a proper vrat meal before you go out, and look for pure-vegetarian restaurants with Navratri menus.

**Is the Kolkata Durga Puja guide available in Hindi?**
Yes. The Pujo Parikrama app works in English, Bengali and Hindi; switch the language from the menu.