Kolkata buzzed with cultural vibrancy as ambassadors, high commissioners, and consular corps from across the globe congregated at the Chaltabagan Durga Puja. The event, which coincided with World Tourism Day, transformed the centuries-old lanes of North Kolkata into a lively cultural hub.
The foreign delegation included representatives from the United Kingdom, Estonia, France, Guatemala, Italy, Germany, Sri Lanka, and Ukraine. Diplomats actively participated in the festivities, dancing to the rhythms of tribal dhamsa-madal drums and immersing themselves in the spirit of the occasion. Many also captured selfies against the backdrop of the pandal, which was themed around the "Evolution of the Bengali Language" and "Mool" (Roots). Some diplomats even tried their hand at playing the tribal percussion instruments.
Sundeep Bhutoria, Chairman of the Chaltabagan Durga Puja Committee, welcomed the delegation, stating that Chaltabagan Puja has always attracted foreign guests. He added that the committee wanted to formally invite them to experience the heritage that UNESCO has recognized and that they hold dear. Bhutoria emphasized that to walk through the narrow lanes from Shyambazar to Shobhabazar is to journey through the city's soul, and he invited the diplomatic corps to share this living archive with the world and experience the intangible heritage recognized by UNESCO.
Guatemala's Ambassador to India, Omar Lisandro Castaneda Solares, described the evening as "beautiful and amazing". He expressed that visiting Kolkata during Durga Puja had exceeded his expectations and that it is a unique experience he will cherish for the rest of his life, a festival of happiness, a true demonstration of culture, with messages of social harmony, peace, and art. Italy's Ambassador to India, Antonio Bartoli, also shared his delight, noting the engaging and inclusive rhythm of the celebration and expressing his intention to return. Darrin Farrant, Director of the United Nations in India, called the evening a "once-in-a-lifetime experience," praising the seamless blend of tradition and modernity.
Other notable attendees included British Deputy High Commissioner (East & Northeast India) Andrew Fleming, Estonian Ambassador Marje Luup, Sri Lankan High Commissioner Pradeepa Mahishini Colonne, Ukrainian Ambassador Oleksandr Polishchuk, British Council Country Director Alison Barrett, Consul General of France in Kolkata Thierry Morel, Alliance Française du Bengale Director Marc Boudin, Deputy Consul General of Germany in Kolkata Gaby Manig, and Joynal Shad, Political Advisor to the French Ambassador in India.
The Chaltabagan Durga Puja is known for drawing foreign guests, and this year, the committee extended a formal invitation to diplomats to experience the UNESCO-recognized heritage. The pandal this year recreated the architectural soul of old North Kolkata, including its culture, heritage buildings, grand havelis, and intimate streetscapes. The Durga Puja celebration was founded in 1943 and has grown into one of Kolkata's largest, attended by celebrities, industrialists, politicians, and foreign diplomats. Environmentalism is a common theme, with past celebrations utilizing windmills and solar panels to power lighting. The Durga Puja is held near the intersection of Vivekananda Road and Amherst Street.
Durga Puja, also known as Durgotsava or Sharodotsava, is a significant festival that honors Goddess Maa Durga and commemorates her victory over Mahishasur. It is believed that the goddess descends to her earthly abode during this time to bless her devotees. As the festivities began, thousands of devotees and visitors thronged pandals across the city with their friends and families. Sundeep Bhutoria, Chairman of the Chaltabagan Lohapatty Durga Puja Committee, emphasized the festival's significance, noting that it is recognized by UNESCO and is the "world's largest".
