What Kolkata's best-known pandals are building for 2026, as reported so far. Each photo is captioned with the year it was taken.
A theme pandal built around Bengal's folk culture. Photo: Himadri8991, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons.
2026 theme: Traditional puja. No theme pandal: Bagbazar keeps its traditional daker saaj protima and the riverside fair.
Bagbazar Sarbojanin Durga Puja, 2025. Photo: Tarunsamanta, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons.
2026 theme: Somnath. The pandal is a replica of Gujarat's Somnath Temple, in the club's 84th year.
Ekdalia Evergreen Durga Puja, 2017. Photo: Biswarup Ganguly, CC BY 3.0, Wikimedia Commons.
2026 theme: Bastar. Inspired by the art and heritage of Bastar in Chhattisgarh, in the puja's 85th year.
Singhi Park Durga Puja, 2015. Photo: Biswarup Ganguly, CC BY 3.0, Wikimedia Commons.
2026 theme: Hawa Mahal. A replica of Jaipur's Hawa Mahal.
Sreebhumi Sporting Club Durga Puja, 2023. Photo: Soumava2002, CC0, Wikimedia Commons.
2026 theme: Utso. 'The Source': the life and times of Syama Prasad Mookerjee, 125 years after his birth.
Suruchi Sangha Durga Puja, 2019. Photo: Subhrajyoti07, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons.
2026 theme: Biyojon. 'Separation': letting go of worldly attachment, in the puja's 101st year.
Tala Prattoy Durga Puja, 2026. Photo: Sampuron, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons.
2026 theme: Madhuri Maitrir Anweshane. Bengal's sweets as carriers of harmony: the history and making of traditional mishti, in the puja's 87th year.
Ahiritola Sarbojanin Durga Puja, 2025. Photo: Tarunsamanta, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons.
2026 theme: Jojon. 'Connection': between people, generations and nature.
Ballygunge Cultural Association Durga Puja, 2019. Photo: Sumita Roy Dutta, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons.
What Kolkata's best-known pandals are building for 2026, as reported so far. Each photo is captioned with the year it was taken.
Read more → Next story: Durga Puja 2026 by metro: pandals near each station All photo storiesMusic: Rhythm of Dhak a huge membranophone instrument from Bengal and Assam, used in Hindu religious festivals, especially Durga Puja, Sumita Roy Dutta, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons.