Overview

• Most calendars place the festival from September 27 to October 2, with Maha Ashtami on September 30, Maha Navami on October 1, and Visarjan on October 2, though some Jharkhand pandals open public displays from September 28.
• Ranchi showcases ‘Operation Sindoor’ installations depicting the Pahalgam attack and India’s military response, with laser shows, 40–55 foot structures, and high budgets; the Mahashakti Durga Puja Committee pandal was inaugurated by Governor Santosh Kumar Gangwar.
• Kolkata’s marquee celebrations highlight themed artistry, including Santosh Mitra Square’s ‘Operation Sindoor’ tribute to the armed forces alongside widely visited creative pandals across the city.
• Mumbai’s line‑up features a 15‑member Purulia Chhau troupe touring six venues from September 27 to October 1 with interval performances by Baul singer Tapan Jogi Baul.
• Elsewhere, Hyderabad’s SVARA presents a large Kolkata‑crafted pandal with multimedia rituals and social media outreach, and Nagpur’s Rani Laxmibai Mandal debuts a ‘Wheel of Divinity’ concept with a 12‑foot central idol.