West Bengal Plans 3,000-Drone Show for Durga Puja 2026

One of the major attractions will be a display of 3,000 drones flying simultaneously over Kolkata, expected to create the image of Goddess Durga using dots of light in the sky. Details of the various events will be finalised after Monday's meeting.

The Bengal tourism department is also preparing a special initiative to connect Bengalis living across the world with the celebrations in Kolkata, named "Emotions of Bengalis around the world — Durga Puja Global Connect 2026." The government hopes to use this to position West Bengal as a leading cultural tourism destination, building on Kolkata's Durga Puja being recognised by UNESCO.

The UNESCO recognition, explained: Kolkata's Durga Puja was inscribed on UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in December 2021 — making it the first festival in all of Asia to receive this designation. The recognition acknowledged the festival's role in sustaining traditional arts and crafts, community livelihoods and creative economic activity built around it. Independent studies commissioned around that period estimated the festival's associated creative economy at over Rs 32,000 crore for 2019 alone, contributing roughly 2.58 per cent of West Bengal's state GDP over the ten-day period — a figure industry estimates suggest has since climbed well past Rs 60,000 crore as pandal-making, lighting, retail and tourism activity around the festival has grown.

To implement the 2026 programme, the government has begun selecting an event management company, with a Request for Proposal already issued.

According to government documents, celebrations will begin on Mahalaya (October 10) with a cultural programme at Eden Gardens, including a presentation of the traditional Mahishasuramardini alongside folk and classical performances, followed by a mega concert in the evening; organisers may also attempt a world record involving dhak, the traditional Durga Puja drums.

Ashtami will feature the traditional Dhunuchi dance alongside special architectural lighting of government buildings and landmarks — though only lighting will be permitted on government structures, with no stages allowed without special permission. A four-hour "Grand Durga Puja Concert" is also planned, bringing together dhak, Dhunuchi, Chhau, Baul, Jhumur, Kirtan, Rabindra Sangeet and Nepali performances, alongside Bengali handicrafts, food and theme pandals.

The government has stressed that scale must not compromise the festival's religious sanctity, and the event will follow eco-friendly guidelines — including eliminating single-use plastic, waste segregation, digital invitations and energy conservation — with officials considering making it an annual international festival.