West Bengal plans grand drone shows for 2026 Durga Puja

The West Bengal government is planning large-scale cultural events and drone displays to elevate the 2026 Durga Puja celebrations to an international level. A meeting is scheduled for Monday to finalize preparations for festivities occurring between October 10 and October 19.

A major highlight of the planned spectacle includes a simultaneous display of 3,000 drones over Kolkata, intended to create the image of Goddess Durga using light. The state aims to attract international tourists and showcase Bengal’s cultural heritage, building upon the recognition of Kolkata’s Durga Puja as an intangible cultural heritage by UNESCO.

The tourism department is also launching ‘Emotions of Bengalis around the world – Durga Puja Global Connect 2026’ to connect the global Bengali diaspora with the celebrations. Planned activities include a large cultural program at Eden Gardens featuring traditional Mahishasuramardini, folk and classical performances, and mega concerts. The government has already issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) to select an event management company for the project.