India’s Oldest Durga Puja Festivals That Continue to Inspire Devotion

Shobhabazar Rajbari Durga Puja (1757, Kolkata)

[{"selector":"#anim-ce0c8805-481a-48d6-8d84-2b7a19cbf40b","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-1597062a-123b-470c-9cf8-a27c17c6adb2","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 186.92230%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-16e6de84-3cca-489b-b843-ab70acd45797","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-d6698697-8578-45a4-b991-8e428a92a0e4","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 341.54593%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-fb688834-89e4-43d7-83fa-1b5309aba85e","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-925676b5-d6ad-47c1-b74e-c388e43f7152","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, -748.24954%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Established by Raja Nabakrishna Deb after Lord Clive's victory at the Battle of Plassey, this puja reflects the unique blend of British and Bengali traditions.

Barddhaman Rajbari Durga Puja (1705, West Bengal)

[{"selector":"#anim-6d1d4f48-8dc6-478f-9795-ea6ee3191c0e","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-7d6c2a80-dc84-4bed-9c8d-184f3ba88309","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 234.69129%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-5bcb88ca-f137-4770-b224-5b2acd3f0473","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-8079f7bb-4683-46af-8f2c-173f0203580b","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 341.54593%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-31cd7181-0d30-4976-b007-d73ecc0a1feb","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-6f76a52c-5309-4483-94af-3989642837df","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, -748.24954%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Started by Maharaja Kirti Chandra, this puja has upheld royal traditions for centuries, with its grand procession and age-old rituals.

Ramnagar Rajbari Durga Puja (1755, Varanasi)

[{"selector":"#anim-49416550-74f9-409c-9c73-3fd6e0f640dd","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-77fd8d88-2f04-4492-a056-7484f92a2b7c","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 261.35798%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-a6d6539f-eef2-4fbc-97fc-738a21ca1a61","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-4096aacd-4674-4454-b95a-3c282184db7a","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 498.76567%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-9c630958-32af-45e4-96db-de4ec3abd00d","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-ae630d3e-954f-453c-8a06-cec15e8329ed","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, -748.24954%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Maharaja Udit Narayan Singh of Varanasi began this puja, blending the opulence of royal customs with religious fervor.

Nayagarh Buxi Durga Puja (1672, Odisha)

[{"selector":"#anim-4f1fe670-065f-433f-9ddd-e72593107e48","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-6490d7fb-69f6-40b8-a800-61dab25ad30e","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 208.16126%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-9483659f-ba3d-49e2-9166-91a7fec4c7a9","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-6a1a1040-d059-49c5-be10-fb0140936381","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 498.76567%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-7d91e862-c5e3-4a8c-90d8-224aefe93696","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-1403c578-bd23-4e09-adb7-0b186cb3fb81","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, -748.24954%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] This puja was initiated by the royal Buxi family, maintaining its legacy through intricate rituals and a grand Durga idol adorned with jewelry.

Chhatu Babu and Latu Babu’s Durga Puja (1780, Kolkata)

[{"selector":"#anim-71a66b63-bb87-46ac-bac5-711a85b8a8a5","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-5750c9d3-d7ae-47f0-8517-bc45fda9bc71","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 246.91354%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-a96ca101-f52d-4742-9a4b-42948fdc74f2","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-cfd9751e-6af2-4e66-b54c-6b8c97655aa9","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 341.54593%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-094187e2-cf46-47d9-b263-864c45f9edc3","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-400fd882-f560-4caf-9125-740379e9bf61","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, -748.24954%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Established by Ramdulal Dey, a wealthy trader, this puja is known for its splendor and meticulous adherence to traditional customs.

Murshidabad Royal Durga Puja (1700, West Bengal)

[{"selector":"#anim-9cb30381-e6dd-4da6-bb95-52eaa9666c67","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-e2379221-7b7b-42bd-9ff9-7383b675c046","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 196.65684%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-48dd202d-595c-4141-9c11-850c01d97670","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-e309cb68-33d1-4147-814a-a76efd97e99f","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 341.54593%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-52efc03d-697e-40bb-a0b1-262980ade10c","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-bd2321c4-1539-4319-a2df-237011373e3d","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, -748.24954%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] One of the most regal pujas in West Bengal, this celebration was started by the Nawabs of Bengal and continues with great pomp in Murshidabad.

Krishnanagar Rajbari Durga Puja (1752, West Bengal)

[{"selector":"#anim-89eb573d-7cb3-464b-9bc4-b4da58a2418a","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-23b8d417-8940-43b2-8b32-fb669e227cb1","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 196.65684%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-a1df1eef-c208-4956-b79a-da8a53c2d87c","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-51754038-3691-482c-bf36-91bb537fb143","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 341.54593%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-be811db0-11e1-4743-ad26-44ce82962300","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-83c3e7a4-5c30-44b7-be54-91bc1dd00af3","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, -748.24954%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Started by Maharaja Krishna Chandra Roy, this festival is famous for its community involvement and its elaborate cultural performances.

Sovabazar Rajbari (1757, Kolkata)

[{"selector":"#anim-6f1b5069-1eb7-4774-982e-e6ea23a3bcc0","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-f6189592-0d5d-4ea9-aa9d-6a5465748de9","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 196.65684%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-d077afda-c02a-477c-8a1d-04d3687ba6ad","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-315b735c-d1e0-44b2-a23c-06623ec77a55","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 498.76567%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-eca770a1-1d76-42be-bd60-2bec834074db","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-0ede11ee-8465-48a2-8f38-f5051fea4025","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, -748.24954%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Another Kolkata-based royal puja, it gained prominence when Lord Clive of the British East India Company attended the celebration, marking its historical significance.

Related Stories Places Where Hunting Still Exist Cardigans Every Guy Should Own Reasons for Getting a Headache Home Remedies to Get Rid of Insects