Kolkata is set to host a grand Mahalaya celebration on Saturday, October 10, 2026, with the help of 3000 traditional dhakis whose rhythmic beats are the hallmark of the festival, and a drone display that will involve 3000 drones.
The programme, which is set to begin around 7 pm, is expected to witness the participation of about 6000 artists to showcase the state's rich cultural heritage. Organisers are all set to put up an elaborate show that will see the convergence of tradition and modern artistry in an ambitious effort to make it a world record.
The evening's attractions are expected to include a mass dhak performance, light-and-sound, laser display, aerial drone formations and fireworks. The cricket stadium will see a grand celebration aimed at marking the beginning of the festive season.
3,000 dhakis to put on a spectacular musical display
Apart from the dazzling drone show, one of the main attractions is likely to be the massive performance by 3,000 dhakis on traditional drums. The dhak is an integral part of the festival celebrated all over Bengal.
Videos of thousands of dhakis rehearsing at Eden Gardens have been doing the rounds on the internet. The mass performance is expected to bring out the rhythmic energy of the traditional Bengal music.
While the performance by the dhakis will provide the much-needed devotional quotient to the festival, the drone light show is all set to wow the audience with its grandeur and scale.
Significance of Mahalaya in Bengal
Mahalaya holds immense significance in the Bengali Hindu ritual calendar as it marks the end of the fortnight-long Pitru Paksha and the onset of Devi Paksha that formally begins the countdown to Durga Puja. It is also the day when people across the region start invoking the goddess.
For Bengalis, the day formally starts with the morning broadcast of Mahishasura Mardini, an iconic devotional programme narrating the story of Goddess Durga killing the demon Mahishasura.
Tradition and modernity in the making
Durga Puja is not only a festival of joy and grandeur but also of music, art and devotion. The organisers have planned a grand opening that seeks to showcase the rich cultural traditions of Bengal.
With a mass performance by thousands of dhakis and an equally large drone show, the organisers have left no stone unturned to create a befitting opening event for the festival. If it meets the desired standards, the show would certainly enhance Kolkata's credentials as a city of traditions and festivity.