Bengal's Durga Puja: A Global Art Phenomenon

West Bengal has emerged as a surprising tourism hotspot, attracting over 3.1 million foreign visitors in 2024, positioning it as the second most popular Indian state for international tourists. This significant increase in visitor numbers is largely driven by the growing global recognition of Durga Puja, which has evolved far beyond a religious observance.

In Kolkata, Durga Puja is now considered a vast civic ritual and a dynamic urban art movement. The festival refashions city streets, mobilizing diverse communities and creating ambitious temporary structures. The UNESCO inscription in 2021 acknowledged this complex cultural milieu, highlighting its collaborative nature, artistic innovation, and civic imagination, which reshapes local identities and urban aesthetics.

This global attention is reshaping Bengal's self-narrative and international perception. While the festival's popularity has brought new opportunities, it also highlights vulnerabilities for traditional artisans and smaller pujas. Safeguarding the intricate ecosystem that sustains Durga Puja while embracing its international visibility will be key to its continued success as a cultural engine.