Durga Puja Kolkata, India | Flying Squirrel Holidays Kolkata Durga Puja Festival Tour: UNESCO Heritage Experience

Durga Puja Kolkata, India

A UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Event

17-23 October, 2026

7 Days / 6 Nights | Prices starting from $2,750 / £2,000 per person

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Experience the grandeur of Durga Puja in Kolkata, the world's largest street art festival, where art, craft, devotion, and passion come together, transforming the city into a living masterpiece. Recognised as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage event, this epic 10-day Durga festival in Kolkata is a magnificent cultural showcase unlike anything else in the world. For months, master artisans dedicate themselves to hand-crafting monumental pavilions and clay idols that honour the Goddess's triumph of good over evil. What takes a full year to build is celebrated with millions of dazzling lights and mesmerising rituals before being immersed in the sacred river. It is a fleeting, awe-inspiring bucket-list spectacle you simply must witness yourself.

Be a part of this 7-Days/6-Nights Durga Puja celebration with exclusive VIP access to the grand pavilions and heritage homes, captivating heritage walk through Kolkata, premium hotel stays, seamless private transfers, and a dedicated English-speaking expert guide.

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Unlock Exclusive Festival Access

To experience this spectacular celebration of Durga Puja the way it deserves to be experienced, you need something special. From the moment you arrive to the moment you depart, every detail is handled with precision and care. We manage all the complex logistics, transfers, access, and timing, so you can simply step into the heritage and let the festival take over.

Durga Puja idol with devotees
Festival artwork and decorated pandal
Traditional Durga Puja dance
Riverside immersion celebration

Experience Highlights

Pavilion Visits: Explore contemporary and theme-based Durga Puja Kolkata pandals (pavilions) celebrated for their architectural excellence.

Heritage Home Access: Exclusive access to traditional Bonedi Bari Durga Puja in Kolkata, where the city's oldest aristocratic heritage families host intimate, centuries-old rituals.

Age-old Traditions: Engage with the spiritual essence of Durga Puja through its deep-rooted rituals.

Vibrant Cultural Celebrations: Witness the electric energy of traditional drummers and be a part of the joyful vermilion celebration.

Kolkata Heritage Tour: Trace the city's rich legacy through Dalhousie Square, the Victoria Memorial, and St. Paul's Cathedral.

River Cruise: Board a riverboat for a moving view of the Goddess's grand farewell.

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Day-wise Itinerary

Colourful Kolkata arrival scene
Day 1 : 17 October

Arrival in Kolkata

Arrive at Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport. Check-in. Overnight stay in Kolkata.

North Kolkata Puja pandal
Day 2 : 18 October

North Kolkata Puja Experience

Visit 6 contemporary, theme-based pavilions (pandals) with our expert guide’s insights. Overnight stay in Kolkata.

Heritage home Durga Puja visit
Day 3 : 19 October

Aristocratic Heritage Home Visits

Set out early to witness the massive artistic installations. In the afternoon, experience 4 exclusive ancestral heritage homes (Bonedi Bari). Overnight stay in Kolkata.

South Kolkata themed Durga Puja
Day 4 : 20 October

South Kolkata Puja Experience

Explore the grandeur of Durga Puja in South Kolkata. Visit 6 contemporary and theme-based Durga Puja pavilions (pandals). Overnight stay in Kolkata.

Traditional celebration and river cruise
Day 5 : 21 October

Traditional Celebration and River Cruise

Witness the tradition of the vermilion celebration (Sindoor Khela), where women celebrate prosperity by playfully smearing vibrant red powder on one another.


Board an exclusive River Ganges cruise to witness the breathtaking immersion ceremony. Overnight stay in Kolkata.

Kolkata heritage walk and sightseeing
Day 6 : 22 October

Kolkata Heritage Walk and Sightseeing

Trace the city’s colonial legacy on a Heritage Walk through Dalhousie Square, including the Writers’ Building, the GPO, and St. John’s Church.


Explore iconic landmarks, including the Victoria Memorial and St. Paul’s Cathedral, before discovering Shree Shwetambar Jain Pareshnath Temple. Overnight stay in Kolkata.

Departure from Kolkata
Day 7 : 23 October

Departure

Check out and transfer to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport for your onward journey.

Pricing & Accommodation

With 4★ Hotel

Price starting from

$2,750/- Per Person £2,000/- Per Person
  • Peerless Hotel
  • Kenilworth Hotel
  • Tollygunge Club

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Why Travel With Flying Squirrel Holidays?

Curated Experiences: At Flying Squirrel Holidays, we believe every journey is special. For over 12 years, we have been designing handcrafted holidays that are as distinct as the travellers who embark on them. Every moment is crafted to absolute perfection. Our promise is simple: It's taken care of. We have had the privilege of delivering top-class service to more than 10,000 happy travellers worldwide, and we would love to add your Durga Puja story to that list.

Luxury Travel Specialists: We believe how you travel is just as important as where you go. We begin by simply listening, taking the time to understand your vision before tailoring an itinerary exactly to your needs. Our experts have a deep understanding of destinations worldwide, built through personal travel and years of hands-on experience addressing the diverse needs and wants of our clients, ensuring every moment of your holiday feels indulgent and stress-free.

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FAQs

Yes, most international travellers require an e-Visa or tourist visa to enter India. We recommend applying at least a month in advance.

Durga Puja takes place during Kolkata's autumn season in October, when the city enjoys favourable conditions for outdoor celebrations. The weather is generally pleasant, allowing visitors to comfortably explore the grand pavilions, cultural performances, and festive events.

Absolutely. While the city gets busy, your expert guide and VIP access ensure you stay secure, comfortable, and free from heavy congestion at all times.

Light, breathable cotton clothing is highly recommended. Comfortable walking shoes are a must for Pandal hopping and heritage walks. Modest attire is appreciated when visiting temples and ancestral homes.

They are temporary, monumental art installations built from scratch to house the deity. It transforms the city of Kolkata into the world's largest open-air art gallery. For its massive scale, the Durga Puja festival in Kolkata gained the status of UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage.

Yes. Kolkata was formerly known as Calcutta. If you are searching to experience the legendary Calcutta Durga Puja, you will be travelling to modern-day Kolkata. While the name has changed, the city's incredible heritage, colonial architecture, and grand festive traditions remain exactly as they were.

To beat the heavy evening crowds, you can explore the main art pavilions during the quieter daylight hours. Our itinerary also features exclusive access to the aristocratic heritage family celebrations (Bonedi Barir Puja) for a rare and deeply intimate cultural experience.

While street food is iconic during the festival, travellers can safely experience authentic festive Bengali meals like Bhog (sacred community lunch) or curated traditional Bengali platters in hygienic, air-conditioned settings.

You are completely free to wear whatever comfortable, modest clothing you prefer during the celebration. We highly recommend choosing breathable, lightweight fabrics like linen or cotton that keep your shoulders and knees covered out of respect for the traditional festivities.

10 days of pure magic. 1 unforgettable journey.

Don't miss your chance to be a part of Durga Puja in Kolkata, India, one of the world's largest street art festivals.

Connect with us to receive the detailed itinerary and learn more about booking details.

Call or WhatsApp: +91-8336978737

Email us at: connect@flyingsquirrelholidays.com

Includes

  • Accommodation and daily breakfast.
  • Air-conditioned private vehicles as per the itinerary.
  • English-speaking expert guide throughout the tour.
  • VIP access to all Durga Puja pavilions (Pandals).
  • Entrance fees for the Kolkata tour.
  • Durga Puja Immersion Cruise (21st October).
  • Applicable taxes.

Excludes

  • Airfares.
  • Lunches and dinners (drinks unless specified).
  • Tips and gratuities for drivers and guides; porterage fees.
  • Travel insurance.
  • Visa fees and processing.
  • Personal expenses such as telephone bills, room service, laundry, etc.
  • Waiting time and additional transfer charges.
  • Any services not mentioned in the inclusions or itinerary.