# Religious festival preparations in West Bengal and Assam > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/religious-festival-preparations-in-west-bengal-and-assam > Updated: 2026-08-28T12:54:52.000Z. Sources: 6. Developments: 2. Preparations for traditional religious festivals, including Durga Puja and Jagaddhatri Puja, are underway in West Bengal and Assam. The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) has issued calls to organizers in West Bengal to maintain religious sanctity by adhering to scriptural norms. The organization proposed that non-vegetarian food be sold in designated stalls outside puja pandals to keep the immediate areas clean and expressed opposition to modern artistic themes that they claim distort the traditional appearance of Goddess Durga idols. Simultaneously, artisanal traditions continue as craftsmen prepare for the festivities. In West Bengal, celebrations such as Jagaddhatri Puja involve elaborate clay sculptures and large-scale immersion processions. In Assam’s Dima Hasao district, veteran artisans are working with clay, straw, and bamboo to create idols despite facing logistical hurdles, including material shortages and rising costs. ## Timeline ### 2026-08-28: Traditional festivals and idol-making crafts continue in West Bengal and Assam Artisans in West Bengal and Assam prepare for major religious festivals, including Jagaddhatri Puja and Durga Puja, despite logistical challenges and material shortages. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/traditional-festivals-and-idol-making-crafts-continue-in-west-bengal-and-assam ### 2026-08-27: Vishwa Hindu Parishad urges traditional practices for Durga Puja in West Bengal The Vishwa Hindu Parishad has urged West Bengal's Durga Puja organisers to follow traditional practices, including banning non-vegetarian food inside pandals and avoiding artistic idol distortions. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/vishwa-hindu-parishad-urges-traditional-practices-for-durga-puja-in-west-bengal --- Cite as: Religious festival preparations in West Bengal and Assam. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/religious-festival-preparations-in-west-bengal-and-assam