From Syama Prasad Mookerjee to Vande Mataram, Lord Ram: Themes dominating Durga Puja this year

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West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari performs aarti to Goddess Durga during the inaugural ceremony of Reapara Durga Puja, in East Midnapore on October 16, 2026 | Photo Credit: ANI

Beyond religious customs, the themes of different Durga Puja pandals across West Bengal often reflect the changing social and political mood of the people. This year, Jana Sangh’s founder Syama Prasad Mookerjee, National Song Vande Mataram and its writer, Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay, and Lord Ram appear to be the key themes at the festival, being celebrated for the first time under the new Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) governemnt in the State.

New Alipore’s Suruchi Sangha, one of Kolkata’s oldest puja organisers, has paid tribute to Mr. Mookerjee on his 125th birth anniversary. The theme titled ‘ Utsa ’ (Origin) traces his life through a series of visual installations, including a statue, photographs, and newspapers clippings.

The club’s new puja patron, BJP MLA Sourav Sikdar, said the theme was chosen not only to pay homage to Mr. Mookerjee but also to educate the younger generation.

“Previous governments have made attempts only to erase Syama Prasad Mookerjee’s name from our history. Had he not been there, Kolkata might have been deleted from India’s map. After the BJP formed the government, we are making an effort to remember him. This puja is also part of that effort,” said Mr. Sikdar.

Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Thursday (October 15, 2026) inaugurated this puja amid chants of ‘ Jai Shree Ram ’ and ‘ Jai Maa Durga ’

Tribute to Vande Mataram and its writer, Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay, marking the song’s 150th anniversary, remained one of the most common themes across the pandals. Several prominent puja committees, including Santosh Mitra Square, 66 Pally, Kalighat, Kankurgachi Milan Mela Samiti, and Bijoypur Sarbojonin in Sodepur, conceptualised the same theme in their pandals this year.

After the huge success of its ‘Operation Sindoor’ theme in 2025, Santosh Mitra Square has adopted ‘Sanatani Chetanay Vande Mataram’ this year. A large illumination depicting India’s map, built with glowing LED lights, was installed on the wall of the pandal, which has been designed in the form of the Red Fort. The elaborate art and sound installations have been drawing large crowds since Tritiya (the third day of Matru Paksh ).

The club has already won around 17 awards for its presentation, with organisers crediting the achievement to the efforts of their art, sound, and arrangement teams.

“Our club has always been known for its themes on nationalism and the freedom struggle. Vande Mataram was the song that united the entire country during the freedom struggle, and it continues to hold significance. The younger generation knows very little about it. We have displayed various installations, including archival newspaper photographs and images of Mr.