The Khuti Puja was performed by Sundeep Bhutoria, chairman of the 84-year-old Manicktala Chaltabagan Lohapatty Durga Puja Committee in Kolkata.

The event was attended by Bengali film superstar Rituparna Sengupta, musician Bickram Ghosh, businessman and columnist Suhel Seth, local MLA Vijay Ojha, and industrialist-politician Sishir Bajoria.

(L-R) Suhel Seth, Ehsaas women member Esha Dutta, Rituparna Sengupta, Sundeep Bhutoria, Bickram Ghosh and Vijay Ojha beating the dhak at the event.

Rituparna calls for unity during Durga Puja

Speaking on the occasion, Rituparna said, “Khuti Puja has been organised wonderfully, as always. Sundeep Bhutoria organises it every year, and I love coming to Chaltabagan for various occasions, whether it is the Durga Puja inauguration or Sindoor Khela.

“I have a special affection for this pandal. Today marks the beginning of Chaltabagan Durga Puja, and Durga Puja is the festival closest to every Bengali’s heart. I hope that, like every year, we celebrate it together, putting aside all our differences. Let us come together, spread love and celebrate the spirit of togetherness during Durga Puja.”

BJP MLA Vijay Ojha speaks of ‘new beginning’

With this year's Durga Puja being celebrated following a political turnaround in West Bengal, Ojha, who represents the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), stressed the beginning of a new phase in the state.

“This year marks a new beginning and a departure from the political culture that has been cultivated in the state over the past 50 years,” the Jorasanko MLA said.

Rituals underway at the khuti puja.

Bajoria highlights Sanatani rituals and festivities

A similar sentiment was echoed by Bajoria, who said this year's Durga Puja would be different as it would showcase a blending of “Sanatani rituals and tradition” with festivity.

“Perhaps, for the first time, Durga Puja will be celebrated not merely as a festivity, but with a greater emphasis on Sanatani rituals and traditions. I hope the rituals and festivities will beautifully coexist, preserving both the spiritual essence and the celebratory spirit of the festival,” Bajoria said.

(L-R) Sundeep Bhutoria, Sishir Bajoria, Ashok Jaiswal and Rajesh Bihani.

‘Nishan’ to explore lives of marginalised communities

Meanwhile, Aditi Chakraborty, who conceptualised this year's theme, hinted at what visitors can expect.

“If I were to summarise this year’s theme in one word, it would be ‘Nishan’—a symbol that can carry multiple meanings. My work will explore one of those interpretations, with my focus continuing to remain on people from marginalised communities,” she said.

Chakraborty acknowledged that she had to modify and enhance her theme following the change in the state government.

“Since there has been a political change in the state, I felt the need to add to and enhance the theme, which had otherwise been conceptualised almost at the conclusion of last year’s Durga Puja. However, I have ensured that the essence of the theme remains relevant to the present times,” she told IBNS.

Durga Puja 2026 dates

Durga Puja this year will be celebrated across West Bengal from October 17 to 21, with Mahalaya falling on October 10.

(Photos: Organisers)