In a moment of immense pride for India and especially for the people of Bengal, Kolkata’s Durga Puja has finally earned its place on the global stage. On 15 December 2021, UNESCO inscribed Durga Puja in Kolkata into its prestigious Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. This recognition is not just a nod to a festival—it’s a celebration of a living tradition that seamlessly blends spirituality, artistry, and community.

A Festival Rooted in Myth & Meaning

Durga Puja is one of the grandest Hindu festivals, honouring Goddess Durga’s victory over the demon king Mahishasura—a powerful symbol of good triumphing over evil. Though its origins lie in West Bengal, the festival has transcended regional boundaries, becoming a global celebration among the Bengali diaspora. From the lanes of Kolkata to the streets of London, Toronto, and Sydney, the spirit of Durga Puja reverberates across continents.

But Durga Puja is more than a religious observance. In Bengal, it is the heartbeat of cultural life—a ten-day extravaganza of rituals, music, dance, art, and community bonding. It begins with Mahalaya, when the clay idols are infused with life through the painting of their eyes, and culminates in Bijoya Dashami, when the idols are immersed in rivers, symbolising the goddess’s return to her celestial abode.

A Rich Historical Legacy

The roots of Durga Puja stretch deep into history. The earliest recorded grand worship dates back to the late 1500s, with zamindars (landlords) of Dinajpur and Malda believed to be among the first patrons. Another account credits Raja Kangshanarayan of Taherpur or Bhabananda Mazumdar of Nadiya with organising the first Sharadiya (autumnal) Puja around 1606.

Kolkata’s own tryst with Durga Puja began in 1610, with the Sabarna Roy Choudhury family, whose celebration is still considered the city’s oldest. The baro-yaari (public) Puja tradition was introduced in 1832 by Raja Harinath of Cossimbazar, marking a shift from private rituals to community-wide festivities.

A Living Canvas of Art & Expression

What sets Kolkata’s Durga Puja apart is its extraordinary fusion of religion and art. Each year, the city transforms into a sprawling gallery of creativity. Pandals (temporary structures housing the idols) are designed with breathtaking themes—from ancient temples and global landmarks to abstract art and social messages. The craftsmanship involved, from idol-making to lighting, décor, and music, is a testament to Bengal’s rich artistic heritage.

Durga Puja is a public performance of devotion and design. It’s a space where tradition meets innovation, where sacred iconography is reimagined through contemporary lenses. The festival thrives on competition and collaboration, with neighbourhoods vying for accolades in categories like best idol, best theme, and best lighting. This dynamic interplay of ritual and spectacle has helped the festival evolve while retaining its spiritual core.

Durga Puja is the best instance of the public performance of religion and art in the city. It witnesses a celebration of craftsmanship, cross-cultural transactions and cross-community revelry. The manner in which the festival is enmeshed in a web of competition and consumption, accelerated by the winning of accolades, secures its secular identity, embedding it in the contemporary global cultures of touring, spectacle, and entertainment. The exemplary character of Durga Puja lies in its ability to not temporally bound itself to the ritual occasion. Its dynamism lies in it being a constantly mutating event — in its fusion of tradition with changing tastes and popular cultures, and in the adaptation of the iconographies of Durga and the styles of her temporary abodes to cater to new regimes of art production.

The Sangeet Natak Academy

UNESCO Recognition: A Cultural Milestone

India’s official nomination of Durga Puja (No. 00703) for UNESCO’s 2020 Representative List was spearheaded by the Sangeet Natak Akademi, an autonomous body under the Ministry of Culture. The Akademi has long championed the preservation of India’s intangible cultural heritage, and Durga Puja’s inclusion marks a significant achievement.

India now boasts 14 cultural traditions on UNESCO’s list, including:

1. The tradition of Vedic chanting
2. Ramlila, the traditional performance of the Ramayana
3. Kutiyattam, a Sanskrit theatre
4. Ramman, a religious festival and ritual theatre of the Garhwal Himalayas.
5. Mudiyettu, ritual theatre and dance drama of Kerala
6. Kalbelia folk songs and dances of Rajasthan
7. Chhau dance
8. Buddhist chanting of Ladakh: the recitation of sacred Buddhist texts in the trans-Himalayan Ladakh region, Jammu and Kashmir.
9. Sankirtana, ritual singing, drumming and dancing of Manipur
10. Traditional brass and copper craft of utensil making among the Thatheras of Jandiala Guru, Punjab
11. Yoga
12. Nawrouz
13. Kumbh Mela
14. Durga Puja in Kolkata

In addition, there are a number of elements that have been nominated to the Representative List by the Sangeet Natak Akademi over the years but have not yet been selected by UNESCO. These include Qawwali, turban tying in Rajasthan, Kalamkari and Phad paintings, the art of Kolam, Patola textiles and Nautanki theatre.

A Festival of Unity & Shared Joy

Perhaps the most remarkable aspect of Durga Puja is its inclusivity. Though rooted in Hindu mythology, the festival transcends religious and social boundaries. It brings together people of all faiths, castes, and classes in a shared celebration of life, art, and devotion. In Kolkata, Durga Puja is not just a festival—it’s a way of life.

🔴 BREAKING

Durga Puja in Kolkata has just been inscribed on the #IntangibleHeritage list.

Congratulations #India 🇮🇳! 👏

ℹ️https://t.co/gkiPLq3P0F #LivingHeritage pic.twitter.com/pdQdcf33kT

— UNESCO 🏛️ #Education #Sciences #Culture 🇺🇳 (@UNESCO) December 15, 2021

The UNESCO recognition affirms what millions have known for generations: that Durga Puja is a cultural treasure, a vibrant expression of India’s pluralism, creativity, and spiritual depth.

So, as the dhak drums echo through the streets and the goddess takes her place among her devotees, let us celebrate this moment of global acknowledgement. Jai Maa Durga!

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P.S. This post is an updated version of my original entry dated 25 May 2019, written at a time when Kolkata’s Durga Puja had just been nominated for UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. That post captured the anticipation and pride surrounding the nomination. Now, with UNESCO’s official recognition confirmed on 15 December 2021, this update celebrates the fulfilment of that hope—a moment of cultural triumph not just for Bengal, but for all of India.