West Bengal plans 3,000-drone show, global events for 2026 Durga Puja

West Bengal is planning large-scale cultural events, concerts and a 3,000-drone show as part of its proposed 2026 Durga Puja celebrations. The initiative aims to showcase Bengal’s cultural heritage globally, attract international tourists and promote Kolkata as a cultural tourism destination

Kolkata: The West Bengal government will convene a mega meeting on Monday to discuss the preparations for taking this year’s Durga Puja celebrations to an international level, with a series of large-scale cultural events, drone displays and concerts planned across Kolkata during the festival, state officials said on Saturday.

According to a state government official, Kolkata is set to witness an unprecedented spectacle from Mahalaya on October 10 to Ashtami on October 19. The proposed celebrations are aimed at showcasing Bengal’s cultural heritage to audiences across the world and attracting international tourists to the state during the festive season.

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One of the major attractions will be a display involving 3,000 drones flying simultaneously over Kolkata. The drones are expected to create the image of Goddess Durga using dots of light in the sky. Details of the various events and celebrations will be finalised after the meeting, the official said.

The Bengal tourism department is also preparing a special initiative to connect Bengalis living across the world with the main Durga Puja celebrations in Kolkata. The programme has been named ‘Emotions of Bengalis around the world – Durga Puja Global Connect 2026’.

The government hopes to use the initiative to promote West Bengal as a leading cultural tourism destination by building on the recognition of Kolkata’s Durga Puja as an intangible cultural heritage by UNESCO.

To implement the programme, the government has begun the process of selecting an experienced event management company. A Request for Proposal (RFP) has already been issued for the project.

According to government documents, the celebrations will begin on October 10, the day of Mahalaya, with a large cultural programme planned at Eden Gardens. The programme will include a presentation of the traditional Mahishasuramardini, along with folk and classical performances representing Bengal’s cultural traditions.

A mega concert featuring leading artistes is also planned for the evening. The organisers may additionally attempt to set a world record involving dhak, the traditional drums associated with Durga Puja.

Ashtami will also feature a major event. Along with the traditional Dhunuchi dance, prominent government buildings and architectural landmarks across the state are proposed to be illuminated with special lighting.

The guidelines specify that only architectural lighting will be permitted on government structures, while stages cannot be erected or assembled without special permission.

The plan also includes a four-hour ‘Grand Durga Puja Concert’ at a large stadium or auditorium. The programme is expected to bring together dhak and Dhunuchi dance with Chhau, Baul, Jhumur, Kirtan, Rabindra Sangeet and Nepali cultural performances.

Bengali handicrafts, traditional food and the elaborate theme pandals associated with Kolkata’s Durga Puja will also be promoted as part of the international showcase. These proposals will be discussed at the Monday’s meeting and will proceed only after receiving government approval.

The government has stressed that the scale of the celebrations must not compromise the religious sanctity of Durga Puja or traditional Bengali customs. If required, priests, experts in religious rituals and heritage specialists will be consulted.

The programme will also be organised along eco-friendly lines, with measures including the elimination of single-use plastic, waste segregation, digital invitations and energy conservation. The government is considering turning the initiative into an annual international festival in the future.

A state government official said the objective was to present Bengal’s culture to the world while preserving the traditions and rituals associated with Durga Puja.

The official said the festival was also a major contributor to Bengal’s economy and that the government wanted to encourage international tourists to visit the state during the puja season.